This is the second profile of six individuals being inducted into the 2018 RMAC Hall of Fame on Friday, July 13 at the Colorado Springs Marriott Hotel. The 1997 and 1998 Regis Volleyball Teams will also be inducted. Click here to read the first profile on Olin Hatfield Chilson.
Richard “Drag” Drangmeister became Western New Mexico University’s (WNMU) head men’s basketball coach nearly 50 years ago. The man who was tough on the court, but had a heart of gold off it, would go on to build three successful programs in the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference (RMAC) in his 21-year career.
When Drag was born in Calumet City, Illinois on January 8, 1935 - the same day as rock and roll legend Elvis Presley - it was if he was destined to become a legend in his own way.
He graduated from Western New Mexico with a Bachelor of Science degree in Secondary Education as the senior with the highest grade-point average and in 1962 he completed his Master of Arts degree in Guidance and Counseling.
From there, Drag coached at the high school level until 1969 when he received the head coaching position at his alma mater. Drag remained with the Mustangs until 1982. He garnered a total of five RMAC Men's Basketball Championship titles ('75, '79, '80, '81, '82) and earned two National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) District 7 titles. He made two NAIA National Men's Basketball Tournament appearances and was a five-time NAIA District 7 Coach of the Year at WNMU.
In 1984, Drag took the head coaching job at University of Southern Colorado, now know as CSU-Pueblo. While there, he won his third NAIA District 7 Championship and earned his sixth Coach of the Year title.
In 1987, he was given the coaching job at Adams State College, known today as Adams State University, in an unusual way. The Grizzlies were looking for a coach and Drag was in town working for his brother selling sporting equipment. The department thought he would be right for the position. Drag remained at Adams State until 1991, when he coached the Grizzlies to their last RMAC Champion title.
In 1992, he returned to Western New Mexico as the men's head basketball coach and Director of Athletics. He coached the Mustangs until 1995.
In his career, he amassed an overall record of 365-233. The highly respected “Drag” Drangmeister was always dedicated to his players and the conference.
“When he coached in the RMAC, that was all he cared about, and he thought a bunch about the district and all the coaches,” remarked his brother, Tom Drangmeister. “He coached in different conferences, but the RMAC always meant the most.”
Known as a tough disciplinarian, his way of coaching clearly garnered him success. But for Drag, it wasn’t about the awards, and often would not tell his own family that he was receiving one. What was important to him was his student-athletes.
He treated his players like his own sons, but they also knew that when they were on the court, it was all business.
“He put rules up on the board,” said Tom. “The boys knew them and that they better follow them. Everyone had the same rules, and there was no favoritism.”
Drag did it his way, and if his players didn’t play it his way, they didn’t play at all.
Beyond the titles and records, Drag ensured his players did their best in the classroom, as well. He built relationships with the teachers and checked in on attendance and behavior. He also knew how to have fun when the time was right.
Drag took pride in turning around struggling programs and did just that at each of his institutions. One of the biggest wins for him was beating Grand Canyon University to go to nationals. On the flip side, a loss to the same team in the playoffs was one of his hardest defeats to suffer. He was passionate about his programs and worked tirelessly to create a tradition of success wherever he went.
His loyalty to his coaching career was mostly rewarding but came with some challenges.
Drag was a family man dedicated to his wife and four children. The closest RMAC institution to Silver City, New Mexico, where Western New Mexico was located, was New Mexico Highlands. With New Mexico Highlands nearly 360 miles away, he often found himself on the road for a week at a time during the season.
Nonetheless, for 21 years, the sacrifices paid off, and he ended his career as the most successful coach in Western New Mexico history and one of the most successful coaches in RMAC history. He retired as the Athletic Director in 1997 and was inducted into the Western New Mexico Athletics Hall of Fame that same year. Following his coaching career, he stayed in Silver City until his wife’s passing and then returned to Alamosa.
The renowned coach, mentor, and leader in the RMAC passed away July 8, 2005 at the age of 70 after a long battle with cancer.
Despite Drag’s passing, his influence on the sport of basketball remained. In December 2005, Western New Mexico named their basketball court “Drag’s Court” in honor of the storied coach and it was a special moment Tom wishes he could have shared with Drag.
“Awards like that are great for the family, after one passes away,” says Tom. “It would’ve been real nice, though, if we’d done it with him there.”
His presence is still felt in the programs he impacted and the players he mentored. Drag still holds the conference records for career RMAC wins with 201 and career wins while in the RMAC with 326.
Off the court, Drag was an exuberant man who influenced everyone he came across for the better.
“He did many more things outside of basketball,” explains Tom. “If there was one thing he was better at than being a coach, it was being a brother. He was the best in the world.”
Richard “Drag” Drangmeister will not only remembered for his hard-nosed coaching style, his courtside discipline, and his reputation for winning, but for his commitment to his teams, his love for his family, and his legacy of excellence live on today.
Drag will be honored posthumously at the 2018 RMAC Hall of Fame and Awards Banquet on Friday, July 13 at the Colorado Springs Marriott. To purchase tickets and for more information, visit the
RMAC Hall of Fame page.