Wayne Yates

Current position: Memphis State Tigers, Northwestern State Demons
Memphis State record: 93-49 (.655)
Northwestern State record: 48-92 (.343)
Overall record: 141-141 (.500)

Wayne Yates
Born November 7, 1937
Hometown: North Little Rock, Arkansas
Alma Mater: Memphis State University (BA, 1961)
Played two years at New Mexico State for coach Presley Askew, earning All-Border Conference honors in 1958
Finished his career and degree at Memphis State, playing for head coach Bob Vanatta
Drafted 5th overall in the 1961 NBA Draft by the Los Angeles Lakers
- Played one injury-shortened season with the Lakers (for head coach Fred Schaus) and then was traded to the Saint Louis Hawks
- Instead signed with the Oakland Oaks of the ABA, playing for part of one season until the league folded in 1962
Started his coaching career at alma mater Memphis State in 1969, joining the staff of Moe Iba
- Iba was fired in 1970 and Yates spent the next four seasons assisting new head coach Gene Bartow
Yates was named the Tigers’ head coach in 1974, leading the program for the next five seasons
- Went 93-49 overall, reaching one NCAA Tournament and two NITs in his first three years
- Resigned in 1979 amid alleged NCAA violations and a sub-.500 season on the court
After a year off, Yates was hired to be the head coach at Northwestern State in Louisiana
- Was just 48-92 during his five-year tenure at the helm, finishing above .500 just once
- Resigned in 1985 after going just 3-25 (2-8) during the 1984-85 season