Coach Dean Weese, legendary coach in the Texas Panhandle, passed away on Oct. 28, leaving behind an incredible legacy of basketball coaching.
Weese amassed an amazing 1,207-197 record in a 42year coaching career at the high school, colligate and professional levels.
A native of Higgins, about 60 miles southeast of Perryton near the Oklahoma border, Weese began his coaching career in his hometown in 1957 after graduating from Phillips University in Enid, Oklahoma. When he received a draft summons from the U.S. Army, he resigned after only one season.
He was playing a semi-pro baseball game in Shattuck, Oklahoma, when he was offered the girls’ basketball job at Spearman. He spent 15 years at Spearman High School, coaching the Lynxettes to a 444-76 record.
Weese won 13 straight district titles and had eight straight state tournament appearances with Spearman before taking a coaching position at Wayland Baptist University.
Weese compiled a 193-30 record during his six seasons at Wayland, including five appearances in the AIAW National Tournament, two AAU titles, and four National Women’s Invitational championships. He coached six players in the top 20 of alltime Flying Queen scorers, five Kodak All-Americans, and six AAU All-Americans. His mantra was “Can’t pass, can’t shoot, can’t play.”
Weese left the Flying Queens to coach the Dallas Diamonds, a professional team that was part of the Women’s Basketball League and included four former Flying Queens.
After his stint with the Dallas Diamonds, he coached the Levelland High School girls for 19 years. At Levelland, Weese had a 551-85 record and added seven more state titles.
Weese hung up his whistle after the 1998-99 season in Levelland, but continued to attend games and give basketball clinics locally.
Weese has been inducted into the Women’s Basketball Hall of Fame, Texas High School Basketball Coaches Hall of Fame, Texas Association of Basketball Coaches Hall of Fame, and Panhandle Sports Hall of Fame.
He was selected as the 2000 National Girls’ Sport Coach of the Year by the National Federation Coaches.