GRAND JUNCTION, Colo. - Wayne Graham, considered one of the greatest college baseball coaches at any level, passed away Tuesday night in Austin, Texas. He was 88.

Graham was the architect of the San Jacinto College-North dynasty, winning five NJCAA national championships in six seasons at Suplizio Field, including three straight from 1985-87. After a JUCO World Series runner-up finish in 1988, the Gators won the 1989 and 1990 championships.

San Jacinto was in the JUCO World Series championship game a tournament-record seven consecutive seasons, from 1984-1990. He went 34-8 in games played in Grand Junction.

"Coach Graham was definitely an old-school manager that respected the game and made sure his players did as well," said Jamie Hamilton, the chairman emeritus for the JUCO World Series. "He helped make our JUCO event better."

Graham spent 11 years at San Jac, winning 570 games, and was named the Junior College Coach of the Century and the 1980s Collegiate Coach of the Decade by Collegiate Baseball Magazine. He was inducted into the NJCAA Baseball Coaches Hall of Fame in 1995.

Two years after his final junior college title, Graham was hired to coach at Rice, which had never won a conference championship. In 27 seasons, Graham compiled a 1,173-528-2 record, seven College World Series appearances in a 12-year span, and led the Owls to their first team championship in any sport in 2003. He's a member of the Texas Baseball Hall of Fame, the Texas Sports Hall of Fame and the Conference USA Hall of Fame.

"What Coach Graham accomplished during his time at Rice is truly remarkable," Rice Vice President and Director of Athletics Tommy McClelland said in a post on the Rice athletic website announcing Graham's death. "He built a program that served as the envy of college baseball for nearly three decades. I am grateful I was able to spend time with him last fall and thank him for all he had done for Rice baseball and our University. He set the standard for excellence within our athletics programs and his legacy will never be forgotten."

Graham played at the University of Texas, then spent 11 years as a third baseman in the Philadelphia and New York Mets organizations, earning two briefs stints with the big club, one with each team, playing for Gene Mauch in Philadelphia and Casey Stengel in New York. As a coach, Graham wore No. 37 in tribute to Stengel. San Jac retired his uniform number.

Roger Clemens, who pitched for Graham at Rice, posted this on his X account: "Coach Wayne Graham was one of the Best of the Best! A baseball lifer! Great Coach, but far better teacher of the game! Gave us young men life lessons to carry with us forever. I will miss Coach, and his funny stories we had together over the years. A Winner! Thanks for everything Coach"

During his trips to Grand Junction, Graham gained a reputation as a hard-nosed competitor whose teams played fundamentally sound baseball and were never out of a game. The Gators' success built a legion of local fans who are still staunch San Jacinto faithful — and that success also built a base of fans who loved to cheer against them, dubbed "Gator Haters."

Graham didn't back down from challenging umpires, the tournament directors or official scorers, but after the game was affable and quick with a laugh, and loved to talk baseball with everyone.

Condolences from his former players, opposing coaches and programs poured in Wednesday on social media.
Jose Cruz, Jr., who played for Graham at Rice, posted a photo of him and his sons with Graham before a Rice game on his X account.

"I am deeply sorry to hear about the passing of a man who had a significant impact on my life," Cruz, now the head coach of the Owls, said on the Rice website. "His encouragement to push us beyond any and all limit has been a valuable lesson that I carry with me and strive to apply as I follow in his footsteps. The example of being committed to greatness no matter what others thought was possible was evident here at Rice, and his accomplishments here are and will always be a source of joy for all Owls. He will always be celebrated, remembered, and missed. Rest in peace, Coach Wayne Graham. My heartfelt condolences to Tanya and the family."

From Baylor coach Mitch Thompson, who won JUCO World Series title at McLennan:
"College baseball lost a legend last night. Coach Wayne Graham was an incredible leader, fierce competitor, and an icon in college baseball. He turned both San Jacinto College and Rice University into national powers, and led those programs to unprecedented heights winning multiple national championships while developing his players to their fullest potential. He could flat out coach the game of baseball! His teams took on his persona and were as tough and competitive as they come.

"My thoughts and prayers are with Coach's family, and all the players and coaches that he influenced. May he rest in peace."

San Jacinto's baseball program plans to invite former players of Graham to celebrate his life this upcoming season, posting a tribute on its social media account:

"It's with great sadness and yet even more celebration that we honor the greatest head baseball skipper to ever coach at the Junior College level, San Jacinto College's own Wayne Graham. Coach Graham will forever be known for leading his Gators to 5 National Championships.

"Under coach Graham, San Jac won national championships in 1985, 1986, 1987, 1989 and 1990 while incredibly, playing in 7 straight National Championship games from 1984-1990. No @NJCAABaseball [program] has ever accomplished that feat that the likelihood is that they never will.

"We look forward to honoring the legacy of Coach Graham in 2025 and can't wait to announce our plans to gather as many of his former players for a great evening of baseball with Skip looking down proudly upon our great young men. We love and will miss you Coach Graham. #Junction"