Former Aggie Coach Gene Littles Dies

[SixtiesAggie]

Former A&T basketball coach Gene Littles dies at age 78. Littles preceded Donald Corbett as basketball coach and only coached for two years. He won two MEAC titles '78 & '79. Overlooked as coach of the year in 1978 by the detractors (MEAC) of A&T's basketball program. He was named Coach of Year in 1979.

[oleschoolaggie]

wow, that's surprising news. i was an undergrad when he coached at a&t and he seemed to have kept himself in pretty good physical shape back then. i even remember when coach littles played in the old "aba" (american basketball association) professionally, if my memory serves me correctly i believe he played for the long "defunct" aba carolina cougars professional basketball franchise.

wow, gone way too soon! rip coach littles...

[oleschoolaggie]

www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/32209477/gene-littles-former-charlotte-hornets-coach-high-point-university-star-dies-78

Gene Littles, former Charlotte Hornets coach, High Point University star, dies at 78

Associated Press 3:38 PM ET

HIGH POINT, N.C. -- - Gene Littles, a former coach of the Charlotte Hornets who was the all-time leading scorer in High Point University men's basketball history, has died. He was 78.

A news release from the school said Littles died on Sept. 9 but did not give a cause of death. Details of a memorial service will be released later, it said.

Littles was a three-time NAIA All-American who in 1969 led High Point to a school-best 28-3 record and the quarterfinals of the NAIA Tournament. His No. 14 jersey number 14 was retired by the school.

Littles was drafted by the Dallas Chaparrals of the ABA and the New York Knicks of the NBA. His ABA rights were acquired by the Carolina Cougars, with whom he earned a spot on the league's all-rookie team as a starting point guard. He finished his career with the Kentucky Colonels, who beat the Indiana Pacers to win the 1975 ABA title.

Littles then joined the coaching staff at Appalachian State before moving to the head coaching job at North Carolina A&T, where he led the Aggies to two Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference titles. He was the MEAC coach of the year in 1979.

In 1986, Littles became an NBA assistant coach, leading the Cleveland Cavaliers for the last 19 games of the season. In 1990, Littles was named head coach of the Charlotte Hornets midway through the season and remained in that role for the following season. He was an assistant coach with the Denver Nuggets in 1994-95 and served as the interim head coach for the last 19 games of that season.

Littles is a member of both the North Carolina Sports Hall of Fame and the High Point University Athletics Hall of Fame.

[AggieGroove]

RIP, Clean Gene!

Condolences to the family!

[Aggie One]

I grew up watching him play down the street at then High Point College and then later with the Cougars. The consumate point guard. He came in as coach my senior year in school. Very personable guy, always professional, and was fun to be around. One of the best X's and O's coaches we've had here and a great recruiter in his short time at T.

Rest In Peace Coach.

[oldschool]

RIP Coach ,prayers go out to his family

[aggieblackie2]

RIP Coach Gene Littles. Great person, coach and basketball player!!

[4XLAGGIE]

A great coach and an even greater person!!

[bseballaggie]

Rest In Peace.

[Maxell]

His two-year stint at A&T is sometimes forgotten, but they are some of the best basketball years for us. RIP Coach.

[aggie62]

RIP Coach, I liked you and thought you made a positive contribution to society during your time on earth...