PLAINVIEW — A memorial service for Dean Weese, who coached Wayland Baptist University’s Flying Queens from 1973 to 1979, will be held at 2 p.m., Sunday, Nov. 5, 2023, at Godley Middle School with Danny Andrews, Wayland’s retired Director of Alumni Relations, officiating.
Weese, a legendary women’s basketball coach who amassed an incredible 1,207-197 record in a 42-year coaching career at the high school, colligate and professional levels, passed away Saturday, Oct. 28, 2023, at age 88. A private funeral service for family is planned in addition to the memorial service in Godley.
The legendary coach returned to Wayland Baptist University’s Plainview campus in February to participate in the grand opening of the Flying Queens Museum. His stellar record at Wayland is proclaimed at the museum.
Sandwiching two great high school coaching stints around his six years as coach of the Flying Queens, Weese was the anointed heir of the head coaching job at Wayland by his predecessor, Harley Redin, and the team’s longtime sponsor, Claude Hutcherson.
“When Coach Weese came to Wayland, the women’s basketball world learned what the State of Texas already knew — that he was one of the best coaches in the world,” said Dr. Bobby Hall, President of Wayland. “Dean’s success came not just in wins and championships, but more importantly in the successful lives and careers of those he coached.”
Weese compiled a 193-30 record during his six seasons at Wayland, including five appearances in the AIAW National Tournament, two AAU titles, and four National Women’s Invitational championships. He coached six players in the top 20 of all-time Flying Queen scorers, five Kodak All-Americans, and six AAU All-Americans. His mantra was “Can’t pass, can’t shoot, can’t play.”
“We at Wayland are thankful that he came our way and will always be appreciative of the excellence he brought to the Flying Queens program,” Hall said. “With that came the opening of unparalleled opportunity for women in sport, administration, business, and so many other fields.”
Weese left the Flying Queens to coach the Dallas Diamonds, a professional team that was part of the Women’s Basketball League and included four former Flying Queens.
Hall said his impact “went well beyond the edges of the basketball court and is still felt today through those he coached so well.”
Weese won 13 straight district titles and had eight straight state tournament appearances with Spearman before taking the Wayland job. After his stint with the Dallas Diamonds, he coached the Levelland High School girls for 19 years. At Levelland, Weese had a 551-85 record and added seven more state titles.
A native of Higgins, about 60 miles southeast of Perryton near the Oklahoma border, Weese began his coaching career in his hometown in 1957 after graduating from Phillips University in Enid, Okla. When he received a draft summons from the U.S. Army, he resigned after only one season. He was playing a semi-pro baseball game in Shattuck, Okla., when he was offered the girls’ basketball job at Spearman. He spent 15 years at Spearman High School, coaching the Lynxettes to a 444-76 record.
Weese has been inducted into the Women’s Basketball Hall of Fame, Texas High School Basketball Coaches Hall of Fame, Texas Association of Basketball Coaches Hall of Fame, and Panhandle Sports Hall of Fame. He was selected as the 2000 National Girls’ Sport Coach of the Year by the National Federation Coaches Association.
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