NASHVILLE, Tenn. – March 3, 2021 – Mary Lou Johns, one of the pioneers in women’s college basketball, and the first head coach of the University of Memphis women’s basketball team, is a 2021 Inductee of the Tennessee Sports Hall of Fame. In an appearance on WREG TV, Johns was told of her inclusion by Harold Graeter, Vice-Chair of the Tennessee Sports Hall of Fame: available to watch here.
Johns coached Memphis’ women’s program beginning in 1972 and coached the Tigers for 20 seasons until 1991. She is the program’s winningest head coach with 368 victories (368-215 record).
Johns is the all-time fifth-winningest NCAA Division I head coach in the state of Tennessee women’s basketball history. Her 368 victories are behind only Tennessee’s Pat Summitt (1,098 wins), Belmont’s Tony Cross (544), Tennessee Tech’s Bill Worrell (408) and Vanderbilt’s/Chattanooga’s Jim Foster (376).
Among her 368 wins are the program’s lone victory over a No. 1 team in the national polls (No. 1 Louisiana Tech in 1983-84 season) and the Tigers’ only win over a Summitt-coached Tennessee squad (1978-79 season). Johns’ squads also were a fixture in the national poll, as the Tigers were ranked 40 weeks from 1977-85. Johns’ 1981-82 team was ranked No. 10 for two weeks, the highest national ranking in program history.
Johns led the Memphis women’s basketball program through the transition from AIAW to the NCAA in 1981-82. Along with that transition, Johns helped the Tigers move into a conference – the Metro Conference – for the first time in program history that same season.
She guided Memphis to two Metro Conference Tournament titles in 1982 and 1985 and three NCAA Tournament appearances in 1982, 1984 and 1987. Her 1982 team reached the NCAA Tournament Mideast Region semifinals (Sweet Sixteen). Johns’ 1983 squad was the Women’s NIT (WNIT) runner-up. For her efforts, Johns was named the Metro Conference Coach of the Year in 1984, 1986 and 1987.
A 1964 graduate of then-Memphis State University, Johns was a member of the women’s basketball, volleyball, tennis and badminton teams. She was inducted into the University of Memphis Athletics M Club Hall of Fame in 1996.
“Mary Lou Johns left an indelible mark on the sport of women’s basketball, and we are thrilled to have her as part of the Class of 2021 for the Tennessee Sports Hall of fame,” said Brad Willis, Executive Director of the Tennessee Sports Hall of Fame.
Johns joins Memphis native and US Soccer President Cindy Parlow Cone, former MTSU defensive standout Mike Caldwell, ETSU Basketball great Tommy Woods, Vanderbilt women’s basketball trailblazer Cathy Bender, and wheelchair basketball champion and Jackson native Brandon Rowland as announced inductees of the Class of 2021. The full class of 11 will be announced over the coming weeks.
Established in 1966, the Tennessee Sports Hall of Fame honors figures from every sport including basketball, baseball, football, golf, soccer and track & field, along with coaches, teams, sports writers and others who made an impact. The Tennessee Department of Tourist Development oversees all operations along with the Tennessee Sports Hall of Fame Board of Directors.
For more information, visit www.tshf.net.
About the Tennessee Sports Hall of Fame
Established in 1966, the Tennessee Sports Hall of Fame enshrines and honors athletes, teams, coaches, sports writers and sports administrators who have made an impact on the history of Tennessee sports. The Hall serves as a platform to connect athletes, coaches, sports fans, and supporters by acknowledging life achievements implemented through sports. The Hall celebrates athletes of all forms, from all across the state. Additionally, Tennessee Sports Hall of Fame aspires to educate youth about the importance of healthy habits and the positive impact they have on lifestyle choices. The Tennessee Sports Hall of Fame is located at 501 Broadway, Nashville, TN 37203. Hours of operation are 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesday-Sunday. Tickets are $3 for adults and $2 for children and can be purchased at the Visitor Center in Bridgestone Arena, right outside of the Tennessee Sports Hall of Fame. Group rates are available for 10 or more. For more information, visit www.tshf.net.
March 03, 2021 at 7:54 pm, Susan Russ said:
Congratulations to Mary Lou Johns. She did an outstanding job as Coach at Memphis State (now University of Memphis). She was not only outstanding in her coaching technique and strategy but also was a great motivator. As a friend and former coach at Memphis State and member of the HOF, I applaud her and look forward to her induction,.