Sam Aubrey
Aubrey from the 1971 Redskin
Biographical details
Born(1922-06-15)June 15, 1922
Sapulpa, Oklahoma, U.S.
DiedMay 5, 2008(2008-05-05) (aged 85)
Playing career
1940–1942, 1946Oklahoma State
Coaching career (HC unless noted)
1947–1949Pryor HS
1950–1954Okmulgee Tech JC
1954–1970Oklahoma State (assistant)
1970–1973Oklahoma State

Sam Aubrey (June 15, 1922 – May 5, 2008) was the head coach of the Oklahoma State University men's basketball team between 1970 and 1973. Aubrey was the starting forward for the 1946 NCAA men's basketball champions, Oklahoma A&M University under coach Henry Iba.[1][2][3]

Early years, playing career, and military service

Aubrey was born in Sapulpa, Oklahoma, and attended Tulsa Central High School. He enrolled at Oklahoma A&M and was offered a partial scholarship by coach Iba. He won a letter as a sophomore for the 1941-42 Oklahoma A&M basketball team that won the Missouri Valley Conference championship. As a junior for the 1942-43 team, he again won a varsity letter as a guard.[4]

Aubrey then enlisted in the Army and won a Silver Star for valor in combat during the Arno-Po campaign in Italy. He also received a Purple Heart after he was shot in the back in September 1944, with the bullet exiting near the front of his left hip. The wound resulted in extensive injuries, including destruction of the large muscle in his left hip, an inability to walk for two months, a cast from his waist down, and a lengthy hospitalization.[2][4]

After the war, Aubrey returned to Oklahoma A&M and, despite his injuries, returned to the basketball team less than a year after being shot.[2] He started every for the 1945–46 Oklahoma A&M Aggies men's basketball team that won the NCAA championship.[4]

Coaching career

After graduating from Oklahoma A&M in 1946, Aubrey began coaching basketball. He began as the basketball coach at Pryor High School, compiling a 46-29 in three years in that post.[2] He then coached for four years at Oklahoma Tech where he compiled a record of 67-52.[4]

He returned to Oklahoma A&M as the freshman coach in 1953. In 10 seasons as freshman coach, he compiled a record of 62-18. He then became a full-time assistant coach in 1964.[4]

After serving for 16 years as an assistant under Iba, Aubrey succeeded Iba as head coach in February 1970.[5] However, he resigned after winning only 18 games in three seasons, including only seven in Big Eight play.[6][7][8]

Death

Aubrey died in May 2008 at a retirement center in Stillwater.[9][10]

References

  1. ^ Bob Hurt (23 February 1973). "Nobody loves to coach more than Sam Aubrey". The Daily Oklahoman. p. 79.
  2. ^ a b c d Bob Hersom (5 March 2000). "Hero in war, champ in hoops". The Daily Oklahoman. p. 42. Retrieved 20 August 2021.
  3. ^ Jimmy Tramel (7 May 2008). "Ex-OSU coach, war hero dies". Tulsa World. Retrieved 20 August 2021.
  4. ^ a b c d e Phil Frey (February 14, 1971). "Replacement for a Legend". The Daily Oklahoman – via Newspapers.com.
  5. ^ "Sam Aubrey Gets Nod to Succeed Iba". Daily Oklahoman. February 8, 1970.
  6. ^ "Aubrey resigns as 'poke coach". The Hutchinson News. 22 February 1973. Retrieved 20 August 2021.
  7. ^ Berry Tramel (7 May 2008). "Aubrey recalled as tough, but fair Iba's chosen successor returned to Stillwater as a wounded war hero". The Oklahoman. Retrieved 20 August 2021.
  8. ^ "Aubrey Calls It Quits As O-State Cage Coach". Daily Oklahoman. February 22, 1973 – via Newspapers.com.
  9. ^ "Former Oklahoma State coach, player Aubrey dies at 85". ESPN. 6 May 2008. Retrieved 20 August 2021.
  10. ^ "Aubrey recalled as tough, but fair". Daily Oklahoman. May 7, 2008. (part 2)
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