Shelby Metcalf

Shelby Metcalf (December 23, 1930 – February 8, 2007) was the head coach of the Texas A&M Aggies men's basketball team for 27 seasons, from 1963 to 1990.

Achieving success as basketball coach at a university known more for its dedication to its football team, Metcalf endeared himself to Aggie fans for his loyalty to the school and his witticisms.

Although his coaching career ended on a bitter note when he was fired in a dispute with A&M athletic director John David Crow in 1990, Metcalf remained loyal to Texas A&M University.

[4] After graduation, Metcalf spent one year as a head coach at Cayuga (Texas) High School, posting a 33–10 record.

[2] In 1971, the A&M men's basketball color barrier was broken when Metcalf personally convinced Mario Brown, an African-American player, to attend the school.

[10] Metcalf's success prompted the primarily football-focused student body to begin paying attention to basketball.

[6] Metcalf took full advantage of the noisy arena, earning a doctorate in Recreation and Resource Development from Texas A&M in 1974 with a dissertation titled "Crowd Behavior at Southwest Conference Games".

[2] The longest serving basketball coach in Southwest Conference history,[9] Metcalf was fired after feuding with Athletic Director John David Crow midway through the 1989–1990 season.

Until 1994, he often spoke at banquets, athletic events, and high schools, including three appearances at prison graduations, and was twice selected to Who's Who in American Colleges and Universities.