Paul Hansen (basketball)

Paul Hansen (December 6, 1928 – January 18, 1993) was an American basketball coach. He was the head men's basketball coach at Oklahoma City University, Oklahoma State University–Stillwater, and University of Science and Arts of Oklahoma (USAO). Prior to the becoming a head coach, he acted as an assistant to iconic Oklahoma City University coach, Abe Lemons for 18 seasons. Hansen, born in Iowa, but raised in Oklahoma City, played college basketball at the Oklahoma City University. He began his coaching career at Noble High School, before returning to his alma mater. After Lemmons left OCU to coach Pan American, Hansen moved into the lead role. Hansen led Oklahoma City to three consecutive winning seasons, where he coached Allen Leavell who went onto 10 seasons in the NBA. Hansen then became Oklahoma State's head men's basketball coach in 1979. He led the Cowboys to their first 20 win season and NCAA tournament appearance since 1965. Hansen was let go from the Cowboys in 1986 and became the head coach at University of Science and Arts of Oklahoma in Chickasha, Oklahoma. He guided the USAO Drovers through 1991 before retiring. Hansen died on January 18, 1993; he was 64 years old. Paul Hansen was married and he and his wife, Carol, had five daughters, Elizabeth, Patti, Judith, Mary and Heidi.