Meyer becomes winningest coach in men's college basketball

Staff Reports and NSU Athletics | 

Former Bison basketball coach Don Meyer gives some words of advice to Northern State's freshman Tramel Barnes during the team's season-opener on Nov. 18. Meyer broke Bobby Knight's record for most career wins by an NCAA men's coach on Saturday.

Former Bison men's basketball coach Don Meyer made history Saturday night, Jan. 10, by tallying his 903rd win as the Northern State Wolves defeated the Marauders of University of Mary 82-62.

The victory gives Meyer sole possession of first place on the men’s all-time NCAA career wins chart as he passed coaching legend Bobby Knight as the winningest men's college basketball coach. His .750 winning percentage (903-301) was compiled at three universities in a career that began in 1972 at Hamline University, where he compiled a 37-41 record. He then spent 24 seasons at Lipscomb University (665-179). Since taking the Northern State job in 1999, Meyer has guided the Wolves to a 201-81 record and have notched seven straight 20-win seasons.

During his tenure at Lipscomb, Meyer's Bison teams spent a decade winning more games than any other team in the country, averaging more than 32 wins per season for 10 years before his move to Northern. His 1989-90 Bison team set a college basketball record with 41 wins. Meyer’s Bison teams made 13 national tournament appearances, winning the NAIA National Championship in 1986. Meyer was named NAIA National Coach of the Year in 1989 and 1990, and was selected to the NAIA Hall of Fame at the age of 47.

Meyer’s teams led the nation in scoring in 1989, 1990, 1992, 1993 and 1995, averaging more than 100 points per game in each of those seasons. Meyer also coached college basketball’s first and second all-time leading scorers, former Bisons John Pierce and Philip Hutcheson. Meyer’s son, Jerry, broke college basketball’s career assist record while playing for his father at Lipscomb. Former Bison Marcus Bodie holds the single-season and career record for steals in college basketball. Former Bison Andy McQueen holds the career 3-point field goals made record. Meyer’s system produced three National Players of the Year and 22 All-Americans.

Northern's win over the Marauders Saturday caps a remarkable return to the sidelines for the 64-year-old coach, who was seriously injured in a car accident on Sept. 5, resulting in the loss of part of his left leg.  In the days following the accident, doctors also discovered cancer burrowing into his intestines and liver, but neither circumstance has slowed Meyer’s march toward history.

A crowd of 6,654 witnessed the historic event, played in NSU’s Wachs Arena.  A brief celebration, including a congratulatory video from former UCLA great John Wooden.  A formal celebration is planned for next Saturday, Jan. 17, prior to the tip-off of NSU’s game against Minnesota-Duluth.  

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