Gene Bess, Hall of Fame Basketball Coach, Dies at 91
Gene Bess, Hall of Fame Basketball Coach, Dies at 91
Natasha DyeFri, June 19, 2026 at 6:11 PM UTC
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Gene Bess at the 2023 Hall of Fame Enshrinement CeremonyCredit: David Dow/NBAE/Getty -
Legendary basketball coach Gene Bess died at age 91 on Friday, June 19, his son Brian said in a post on Facebook
"This morning at 4:00am my dad went to be with Jesus," Brian said alongside two photos of his father
Bess spent 50 seasons as coach of the Three Rivers Raiders and was inducted into the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame in 2023
Hall of Fame basketball coach Gene Bess has passed away. He was 91.
On Friday, June 19, Bess' son, Brian, announced the coach's death in a statement on social media. "This morning at 4:00am my dad went to be with Jesus," Brian wrote, adding, "We are making arrangements and will let you know when we will celebrate."
Messages from Bess' friends and family quickly poured in, with most remembering the coach as a "fantastic man" and a "true legend" in the comments of Brian's post.
Gene Bess at the 2023 Basketball Hall of Fame Enshrinement CeremonyCredit: Brian Babineau/NBAE/Getty
Todd Franklin, the head coach of Vincennes University's basketball team, said on X, "Sad day ! Will always cherish the fact that I got to know Coach Bess and Coach against him. Absolutely remarkable career and person," in a tribute.
"The GOAT of all GOATs experiencing the greatest win of 'em all. Forever thankful for Coach Gene Bess," a fan wrote.
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Bess coached the Three Rivers Raiders for an impressive 50 seasons, becoming the winningest coach in college basketball history with 1,300 wins to 416 losses. Three Rivers won two NJCAA titles in 1979 and 1992 under Bess, who was named National Coach of the Year twice, and he led the Raiders to 17 appearances in the NJCAA National Tournament.
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Gene Bess on Feb, 8, 2006 in IllinoisCredit: James A. Finley/AP
In 2023, Bess was elected to the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame and honored with a statue at the Libla Family Sports Complex in Missouri. He was inducted into the NJCAA Hall of Fame in 1989 and the Poplar Bluff Sports Hall of Fame in 1983 and the Missouri Sports Hall of Fame in 2006.
Bess retired from coaching in 2020.
on People
Source: “AOL Sports”
