Gene Bess
Inducted:
2023
Stats
Born:
March 3, 1935
Oak Ridge, Missouri, U.S.
Position:
Coach
Gene Bess is a legendary figure in basketball coaching, renowned for his unparalleled success at the junior college level. He dedicated 50 years to coaching at Three Rivers College in Poplar Bluff, Missouri, amassing an extraordinary record of 1,300 wins and 416 losses. This achievement makes him the all-time winningest coach in college basketball history.
Under his leadership, the Three Rivers Raiders secured two NJCAA National Championships, in 1979 and 1992, and made 17 national tournament appearances. Bess was instrumental in developing talent, coaching notable players such as NBA star Latrell Sprewell. His contributions to the sport have been recognized with multiple honors, including inductions into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 2023 and the NJCAA Foundation Hall of Fame.
Bess retired in 2020, leaving a legacy of excellence and dedication in basketball coaching.
Bess's Awards
- All-time winningest college basketball coach with 1,300 wins
- Two NJCAA National Championships (1979, 1992)
- First college coach to reach 1,000 and 1,200 wins
- Inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame (2023)
- Inducted into the NJCAA Foundation Hall of Fame
- Inducted into the Missouri Sports Hall of Fame (2006)
- Wikipedia+1Missouri Sports Hall of Fame+1
- Coached NBA player Latrell Sprewell
Career:
Coaching:
1971–2020
Team:
Three Rivers College (Poplar Bluff, Missouri)
Total Seasons:
50
Wins-Losses:
1,300– 416
Winning Percentage:
.757
National Championships:
2 (1979, 1992)
National Tournament Appearances:
17
20+ Win Seasons:
42
30+ Win Seasons:
12