Wade Houston

Wade Houston (born October 9, 1944)

Teams coached: Tennessee Volunteers
Tennessee record: 65-90 (.419)
Overall record: 65-90 (.419)

Career Accomplishments:

  • NCAA National Championships:  0
  • NCAA Tournament Appearances:  0
  • NIT Championships:  0
  • NIT Appearances:  2  (1990, 1992)

Coaching Career (head coach, unless noted):

1989-1994 Tennessee
1976-1989 Louisville (asst)

Wade Houston Facts

  • Allan Wade Houston ,Sr.
  • Born October 9, 1944
  • Hometown: Alcoa, Tennessee
  • Alma Mater: University of Louisville (BA, 1966 & MA)
  • Grew up in the small town of Alcoa, TN, located 20 minutes outside of Knoxville; his high school team often had to travel long distances just to play games
    • Recruited by assistant John Dromo and head coach Peck Hickman to play at Louisville; alongside Eddie Whitehead and Sam Smith became the first African American scholarship players in UL program history
  • Worked as a high school teacher and then played professionally for a bit overseas before starting his coaching career at Ahrens HS (KY)
    • Spent two seasons at Ahrens and then three seasons at Louisville Male HS (KY) before returning to his alma mater in 1976
  • Was an assistant under Hall of Fame head coach Denny Crum for thirteen seasons at Louisville; was the first African American coach in program history
  • Hired in 1989 to be the head coach at Tennessee, also becoming the first African American head men’s basketball coach in SEC history
    • Led the Vols for five seasons, four of which featured his son, future NBA player Allan Houston, as the team’s star player
    • Went to the NIT twice but never the NCAA Tournament; the Vols were 5-22 in 1993-94 after the younger Houston had gone to the NBA and the elder Houston resigned after the season
  • Houston moved back to Louisville and now works in the private sector; most recently, he ran a trucking and transportation business
    • Very active in the Louisville community and also runs an annual charity golf tournament in his hometown of Alcoa, TN

Wade Houston Coaching Tree

  • Kevin Whitted (Westchester Knicks, ABA)