B. L. Graham

B. L. Graham

Graham in 1952
Biographical details
Born	(1914-08-24)August 24, 1914
Died	October 13, 2001(2001-10-13) (aged 87) Oxford, Mississippi, U.S.
Playing career
Basketball
1935–1938	Ole Miss
Position(s)	Center
Coaching career (HC unless noted)
Basketball
1939–1949	Jones County
1949–1962	Ole Miss
Football
1947–1949	Jones County
Head coaching record
Overall	144–168 (college basketball) 23–7–1 (junior college football)
Accomplishments and honors
Awards
First-team All-American – Helms (1938) First-team All-SEC (1938)

Bonnie Lee Graham (August 24, 1914 – October 13, 2001) was an American college basketball player and coach at the University of Mississippi (Ole Miss). Graham was an All-American center at the school in 1938 and was head coach from 1949 to 1962.

"Country" Graham came to Ole Miss from Baldwyn High School, which he led the school to the 1932 Mississippi state title. Graham became Ole Miss' first All-American in basketball in 1938 as he was a first-team pick of the Helms Athletic Foundation squad. He pioneered the one-handed hook shot, which was known as ‘Country’s Fade-Away” and using this signature move went on to lead Ole Miss and the Southeastern Conference in scoring as a senior in 1937–38. He also played football at the school during this time.

After the close of his college athletic career, Graham coached both basketball and football at Jones County Junior College in Ellisville, Mississippi, winning state junior college titles in both sports. In 1949, he was named head coach at his alma mater. He coached 13 seasons, compiling a record of 144–168. His 144 victories were the most in school history until 2013 when Andy Kennedy broke the mark. He also was an assistant football coach for the Rebels from 1952 to 1960.

Graham died on October 13, 2001, in Oxford, Mississippi, at the age of 87.

Head coaching record

College basketball

Statistics overview

Season	Team	Overall	Conference	Standing	Postseason
Ole Miss Rebels (Southeastern Conference) (1949–1962)
1949–50	Ole Miss	8–17	4–13	12th
1950–51	Ole Miss	12–12	5–9	10th
1951–52	Ole Miss	15–11	8–6	5th
1952–53	Ole Miss	14–11	5–8	7th
1953–54	Ole Miss	12–12	7–7	6th
1954–55	Ole Miss	8–15	5–9	9th
1955–56	Ole Miss	10–13	4–10	10th
1956–57	Ole Miss	9–12	4–10	10th
1957–58	Ole Miss	12–12	6–8	8th
1958–59	Ole Miss	7–17	1–13	12th
1959–60	Ole Miss	15–9	8–6	4th
1960–61	Ole Miss	10–14	5–9	9th
1961–62	Ole Miss	12–13	5–9	9th
Ole Miss:		144–168 (.462)	67–117 (.364)
Total:		144–168 (.462)