One of the greatest figures in the history of Portland sports, Dick Gray’s Benson boys basketball teams won five state championships, many in dominating fashion. His 563 career victories made him Oregon’s winningest high school coach at one point.
Gray (born 1927- February 27, 2010) spent 38 years in two stints at Benson High and finished his career there with 560 victories. Among the many players Gray coached, standouts who went on to college and professional fame include A.C. Green and Richard Washington.
Growing up in North Portland, Dick didn’t have to travel far in his sporting life. He was a three-sport athlete at Roosevelt High School and then spent four seasons playing football at Oregon State for Lon Steiner and Kip Taylor. Gray played defensive back and was considered to be one of the best in Beaver history. He was selected for the East-West College All-Star Game in 1949, his final season at OSC.
Gray joined the Benson staff in 1953 where we would also coach football and track and field over the years along with basketball. Coach Gray was an innovator, teaching fast break basketball, a concept well ahead of its time. Benson hoops was a middle of the pack program until the early 70’s when the Techmen won three state championships over four seasons with a combined record of 102-8. Gary Gray, Ricky Lee, Mark Hoisington and Richard Washington were the All-state and State Tournament stalwarts of these teams.
Another state championship came in 1981 with A.C. Green as a centerpiece.
Coach Gray spent as much time teaching his athletes about life as he did coaching basketball and was always one to stand up for the players on and off the court. He had to do that for himself, fighting to retain his own position in the late ‘80s. Dick won championship number five in 1990, this time sending stars Orlando Williams and Canaan Chatman off to Oregon and Oregon State.
Not quite ready to hang it up, Gray spent his final three seasons with a whistle starting up the boy’s basketball program at Valley Catholic. Dick Gray is also a member of the PIL Hall of Fame.