DaytonDailyNews.com

KNOXVILLE, Tenn. — Ray Mears, the Tennessee basketball coach who presided over the "Ernie and Bernie show" during his 15 seasons guiding the Volunteers, died Monday. He was 80.

A native of Dover, Ohio, Mears, the winningest men's coach in the history of the Tennessee school, had been in declining health for some time, university spokesman John Painter said.

Before coaching the Vols, Mears made his mark in Southwestern Ohio. He played college basketball at Miami University as a walk-on, and lettered two years as a forward before graduating in 1949 with a bachelor's degree in education.

He is a member of the Miami University Athletics Hall of Fame.

In 1956, Mears took over as head coach at Wittenberg University. He compiled a record of 121-23 in his six seasons with the Tigers, leading them to the College Division national title in 1961.

In the mid-1970s, Mears coached future NBA players Ernie Grunfeld and Bernard King. Mears' teams went 278-112 at Tennessee between 1962 and 1978.

"He was a great leader, innovator and an extremely competitive person," Grunfeld, president of basketball operations for the NBA's Washington Wizards, said Monday. "He taught me about hard work, dedication and loyalty — lessons that have stayed with me my whole life. He encouraged us to not only be good basketball players but also to be good human beings."

Under Mears, the Vols won or shared Southeastern Conference titles in 1967, 1972 and 1977. The 1967 championship was the school's first in 24 years.

"Coach Mears was a true Tennessee legend," Tennessee athletic director Mike Hamilton said. "He created a tradition of basketball success, pageantry and fan support by which all future basketball teams and coaches will be measured."

Current Vols coach Bruce Pearl, who has adopted the bright orange blazer favored by Mears said he "brought a style of play and atmosphere to Tennessee basketball that will always be treasured."