Paul Hansen

For more than 40 years, Paul Hansen played the role of teacher and coach. Recording a successful career winning record of 686 victories to 374 defeats, he gained national recognition for his stops at Oklahoma State University, Oklahoma City University and USAO in Chickasha, Oklahoma.

From 1974-1979 Hansen was head coach at Oklahoma City University after serving as Abe Lemon's assistant for 18 years. After his stay at OCU, Hansen made a seven-season stop at Oklahoma State from 1980-1986. In 1981, his second season, the Cowboys compiled an 18-9 record, and he was named the Big Eight Conference Coach of the Year. His 1983 Cowboys finished a sparkling 24-7.

Before the end of his seventh season at OSU, Hansen led the Cowboys to a remarkable victory against the highly favored OU Sooners in the annual Bedlam match up 87-84.

In 1987, he was hired for his final teaching and coaching position at USAO in Chickasha, Oklahoma. Hansen always placed as much emphasis on his teaching as he did coaching. He began his career at Noble High School where he taught seventh and ninth grade English. He extended his teaching at both OSU and USAO where he taught Theory of Basketball. He graduated from Oklahoma City University and held a minor in speech.

Hansen was known as a man of integrity. Abe Lemons sums it up as well as anyone, "He's a guy without fault". Hansen died in 1993.