Career
The Gentry, Texas native was head coach at the University of Oklahoma between 1938 and 1955, compiling a 200-181 record. He also coached the Air Force team to a 34-14 record in 1956
Prior to coaching, he was also a star for Hugh McDermott"s Oklahoma team He was a 1928-1929 Helms Foundation All-American.
As a coach Drake made 2 Final Fours the first one in 1939 Where they lost to Oregon 55-37 and in 1947 where he lost in the Championship Game to Holy Cross 58-47.
He made 1 more additional National Collegiate Athletic Association tournament appearance in 1943 though he coached at a time when only 8 team made the tournament. He coached 5 Olympic (Wayne Glasgow and Marcus Freiberger of University of Oklahoma, 1952.
Bill Evans, Ron Tomsic and Gib Ford of Air Force team, 1956) and three All-Americans (Jimmy McNatt, 1940. Gerald Tucker, 1943, 1947.
Allie Paine, 1944)
In 1958 he coached the Wichita Vickers in the National Industrial Basketball League getting 30-21 record tying him for first with his old player Gerald Tucker who was coaching the Bartlesville Phillips 66ers. lasting contributions Drake developed the Shuffle offense.
He helped make goal tending illegal. He was the Chairman of the National Collegiate Athletic Association Rules Committee from 1951-1955
He made the Basketball Hall of Fame as a Coach in 1973.
