Basketball Athletic Barrier Breaker Jimmy Gales

From left, UNT President Norval Pohl, Jimmy Gales, Athletic Director Rick Villarreal

Jimmy Gales, an assistant coach at the time, broke another barrier when in 1986 he was named the first African American head coach at North Texas.

Gales led the Eagles to two conference championships and was twice named Southland Conference Coach of the Year. Under Gales, North Texas earned its first-ever berth in the NCAA playoffs and swept the conference tournament.

Gales coached for North Texas through the 1992-93 season.