Alumnus Earns 500th Career Win as Texas High School Basketball Coach
East Texas A&M University alumnus Hosea D. Lee, a 1993 graduate with a bachelor's degree in kinesiology and applied anatomy, has reached a major milestone in his coaching career. Lee earned his 500th win as a basketball coach on Nov. 14, while leading the Young Men's Leadership Academy (YMLA) in Fort Worth, where he has served as a teacher and coach for more than 25 years.
Lee, a former East Texas A&M basketball player, said his time as a Lion shaped the foundation of his coaching philosophy. “My junior year we won conference and I think that was the turning point,” he said. “It provided confidence for the entire program and allowed me to see how leadership reflects upon a program.”
After graduating, Lee began a coaching path that included serving as an assistant basketball coach at Missouri State University before returning to Texas to build a long and successful high school coaching career. YMLA, an all-boys public school serving grades 6–12, emphasizes leadership, academic readiness and long-term mentorship—an environment where Lee has thrived.
Reaching 500 wins is a milestone he attributes to those around him. “Professionally, it's a testament to my players, assistants, administrators and everyone who has supported me along the way,” Lee said.
Lee's journey highlights the opportunities available to students in ETAMU's kinesiology and allied health programs, which prepare graduates for careers in coaching, athletic performance, physical therapy, allied health fields and human movement science. Students in these programs gain a foundation in anatomy, physiology, biomechanics and leadership. These are the same skills Lee has applied throughout his 32-year coaching career.
As he looks ahead, Lee says his focus is now on helping young men succeed beyond high school and enjoying time with his family. His achievement stands as an example of how ETAMU graduates can make a lasting impact on their communities through sport, mentorship and education.