John Bates (basketball)

John Bates
Biographical details
Born(1938-12-13)December 13, 1938
Union, South Carolina, U.S.
DiedDecember 16, 2015(2015-12-16) (aged 77)
Ellicott City, Maryland, U.S.
EducationAllen University
Coaching career (HC unless noted)
1971–1974Maryland Eastern Shore
1974–1986Coppin State
Accomplishments and honors
Championships
NAIA (1976)
2 MEAC regular season (1973, 1974)
MEAC tournament (1974)
Awards
3 MEAC Coach of the Year (1972–1974)

John H. Bates (December 13, 1938 – December 16, 2015) was an American college basketball coach, known for his time at Coppin State University, where he coached the team to a National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) championship and led the program's transition to NCAA Division I status.

Bates was born in Union, South Carolina, and attended Allen University. He started his coaching career at the high school level in his home state before ultimately becoming head coach at Maryland Eastern Shore in 1971.[1] In three seasons with The Hawks, Bates compiled a 73–14 (.830) record. AT UMES, Bates led the school to the 1974 National Invitation Tournament, becoming the first historically black university to gain an berth in this tournament.[2] Following the 1973–74 season, Bates moved to Coppin State, taking star center Joe Pace with him. The duo combined to lead the Eagles to the 1976 NAIA championship. Bates led the Coppin State program for 12 seasons, finishing with a record of 209–121. He is enshrined in the school's athletic hall of fame.[1]

Bates died of an apparent heart attack on December 16, 2015, at 77.

References

  1. 1 2 Lee, Edward (December 18, 2015). "Former Coppin State, UMES basketball coach John Bates, 'a legend in the MEAC and beyond,' mourned". Baltimore Sun. Archived from the original on December 22, 2015. Retrieved December 29, 2015.
  2. ↑ "UMES coaching legend John Bates dies". delmarvanow.com. December 18, 2015. Retrieved December 29, 2015.
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