Encyclopedia Dubuque
"Encyclopedia Dubuque is the online authority for all things Dubuque, written by the people who know the city best.”
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Affiliated with the Local History Network of the State Historical Society of Iowa, and the Iowa Museum Association.
ORR, Johnny
ORR, Johnny. (Taylorville, Ill.--- ). In 1949 Orr graduated from Beloit (Wisconsin) College where he was a two-time All-American in basketball. He coached at the high school level throughout the 1950s. He coached at DUBUQUE SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL from 1951-59.
His first move into collegiate coaching was as an assistant at Wisconsin for four seasons. Orr then served as the head coach at University of Massachusetts for three seasons.
Orr assisted Dave Strack at Michigan for one season before taking over head coaching duties at Michigan prior to the 1968-69 season. He led the Wolverines to four NCAA Championship appearances in 12 seasons, amassing a school-record 209 victories. He is one of the few coaches to be the all-time leader in career wins at two high-major schools.
Orr came to Iowa State from Michigan in 1980. He turned around the Cyclone program, taking them to six NCAA tournaments and producing a record 5 20-win seasons. He spent 16 years as the coach of the Cyclones before retiring in 1994.
Orr was inducted into the Iowa State Letter Winners Club Hall of Fame in 2001. In 2011, the Iowa State Athletics Department opened a large sports bar-themed gathering area in the east concourse of Hilton Coliseum, naming it “Johnny’s” as a tribute to the coaching legend.
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Source:
RadioIowa. Online: http://www.radioiowa.com/2013/12/31/cyclone-legend-johnny-orr-dead-at-86/