Biography:
Fran Garmon is an American basketball coach who made significant contributions to the sport throughout her career. She had a remarkable collegiate head coaching career, leading teams at Temple Junior College, Delta State, and Texas Christian University. Garmon’s involvement with USA Basketball further solidified her position as a respected figure in the sport. Notably, she served as the head coach of the gold medal-winning World University Games team in 1979 and the Pan American Games team in 1983, demonstrating her ability to lead teams to success on the international stage. She also held important leadership positions within the US national team.
Garmon’s outstanding coaching abilities and numerous accomplishments led to her induction into the Women’s Basketball Hall of Fame in 2000, a well-deserved recognition of her significant contributions to the sport.
Early on, Garmon displayed a passion for basketball that began when she was just five years old. It was then that her cousin, Gene Morris, held her up high enough to put a ball through a hoop. This early encounter ignited her love for the sport and set her on the path to becoming a successful basketball coach.
Garmon’s high school years were spent playing basketball at Moody High School, where she participated in the two-division court, six-player system that was popular at the time. Her dedication and skills on the court became evident during this period, laying the foundation for her future success.
Continuing her basketball journey, Garmon enrolled in Temple Junior College, where she played for the school team and an independent team. Pursuing her education further, she went on to earn a master’s degree at Baylor University, further cementing her knowledge and expertise in the sport.
Upon returning to Temple Junior College in 1963, Garmon took it upon herself to establish a women’s basketball program. Facing limited options for opponents, she scheduled games against high schools and four-year colleges, seizing any opportunity to compete. Despite a challenging start, where her team lost their first seven games, Garmon’s resilience and determination prevailed as they went on to win the next nine. Her coaching abilities caught the attention of the school president, who granted her four scholarships for the following year. Garmon remained at Temple Junior College until 1979, amassing an impressive record of 383 wins against 157 losses. A defining moment in her coaching career was when her 1975 team secured the first National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA) national championship by defeating Northern Iowa Area Community College with a score of 59-58.
Garmon’s coaching prowess did not go unnoticed, as she even scheduled games against powerhouse four-year schools like UCLA. In one memorable national invitational tournament, her team emerged victorious against UCLA, an achievement that resulted in a subsequent ban of all junior colleges from the tournament. Garmon’s relentless pursuit of success and determination to compete against the best earned her both respect and recognition within the basketball community.
In 1979, Garmon took on the head coaching position at Delta State. The team she inherited was one of the dominant forces in women’s basketball at the time, having won the Association for Intercollegiate Athletics for Women (AIAW) national championship for three consecutive years between 1974 and 1977. Over the course of four years at Delta State, Garmon compiled a commendable record of 76 wins and 63 losses, further solidifying her reputation as a skilled coach.
After her tenure at Delta State, Garmon moved on to Texas Christian University (TCU). Despite facing challenges and a difficult win-loss record of 78-192 between 1983 and 1993, Garmon’s impact was far-reaching. Her dedication and commitment to the sport earned her the respect and admiration of the TCU community. In March 2018, Garmon was invited to a second-round Women’s NIT game held at TCU, where she was honored at halftime for her significant contributions to the sport.
Fran Garmon’s incredible journey as a basketball coach has left an indelible mark on the sport. Her determination, leadership, and unwavering commitment to her teams propelled her to greatness. A trailblazer in women’s basketball, Garmon’s accomplishments and influence have shaped the development of women’s sports and inspire future generations of athletes and coaches.
Awards:
– Inducted into the Women’s Basketball Hall of Fame in 2000.