(Basketball Coach 1949-71)

Ed Billingham served as head basketball coach for the Lions from 1949-1972 and led the Lions to two NAIA National Tournaments in 1960 and 1962.  He posted a 249-312 record over his 24 seasons with the Lions, with his best single season mark coming in 1962 with a 17-9 record. 

He coached one All-American in Dabbs Earnest and coached numerous players who became outstanding coaches like Wimp Sanderson, Bill Jones and John Bostick. He was a football, basketball and baseball standout at Fairmont State College (W. Va.) and he received his B.A. degree from Fairmont in 1941, majoring in mathematics and physical education. Received the Master's Degree from Columbia University in 1947.

Served as head coach at Fork Union Military Academy in West Va., before coming to Florence State in 1948 to succeed Eddie Flowers as the Lions basketball coach.