Coach Ron Lykins

From Undergraduate Student to Hall of Fame Coach

For Ron Lykins, coaching wheelchair basketball began as field work for his undergraduate degree. While completing his master’s degree at the University of Kentucky, he was tasked with assisting the wheelchair basketball team—and quickly “caught the coaching bug.” What started as a degree requirement became his passion, career and life’s work.

After early success at the University of Wisconsin–Whitewater, Lykins’ career expanded to the international stage. Serving over three decades with Team USA (1990–1992, 2001–2008, 2013–2021), Lykins guided national teams to four Paralympic gold medals and one silver, finishing his international coaching career with a record of 98–9, 12 gold medals and five silver medals and becoming the first coach in Paralympic history to lead both men’s and women’s national teams to gold medals. In recognition of his decades of leadership, he was inducted into the National Wheelchair Basketball Hall of Fame in 2018 and the Missouri Sports Hall of Fame in 2022. That same year, the University of Missouri honored him by naming the home court in Brewer Fieldhouse Ron Lykins Court.

From youth camps for athletes with disabilities to national championships and international medals, Coach Lykins has shaped a program that is bigger than basketball. His vision ensures that Mizzou Wheelchair Basketball remains The Gold Standard—developing champions on the court and leaders for life.

Setting the Gold Standard at Mizzou

Today, as head coach of Mizzou Wheelchair Basketball, Lykins is more than a coach—he is a mentor and trailblazer in adaptive athletics. Since joining Mizzou in 2009, he has transformed the program into a nationally recognized powerhouse. Under his leadership, he led the Tigers to winning seasons, tournament titles, and international recognition. His vision is simple yet powerful: create a culture where fundamentals, relentless effort, gratitude, and team-first values define success.

 

Mizzou athletes have also gone on to represent Team USA, Canada, Australia and France on the world stage. His vision is simple yet powerful: create a culture where fundamentals, relentless effort, gratitude and team-first values define success. His coaching tree continues to grow: Scott Meyer—a former Mizzou assistant and three-time graduate—now leads Team USA, carrying forward the legacy of excellence and discipline instilled by Lykins

Coaching Philosophy: The Gold Standard

At the heart of Lykins’ success is a philosophy that defines Mizzou Wheelchair Basketball: Mizzou Wheelchair Basketball is The Gold Standard.

We set the bar high—on the court and off. Our values aren't just words on a wall; they're our foundation. We approach every challenge with clear eyes, knowing our strengths and owning our growth areas. No ego. No excuses. Just relentless focus on our shared purpose and the power of putting our team first.

We know effort drives excellence.

Complacency isn't in our vocabulary. We show up every day—5 a.m. practices, late-night film sessions, classroom grind—ready to give everything we have. Success isn't just about the scoreboard; it's about maximizing our potential and never settling for good enough.

We master the fundamentals.

Flashy plays get highlights. Fundamentals win championships. We perfect the basics because sustained success comes from doing essential things extraordinarily well—every single time. It's not just basketball, it's building a foundation for life.

Our strength is our bond.

The team’s success comes before any individual athlete. Every player knows their role and makes sacrifices to elevate their mutual respect—for each other, our opponents, officials, fans, and community.

We lead with gratitude.

We find lessons in every moment—victories and defeats alike. Gratitude means more than celebrating wins; it's transforming setbacks into comebacks, challenges into character, and adversity into advantage. Every experience fuels our growth as athletes and as people.