Poplar Bluff, Mo. (KFMO) – Hall of Fame basketball coach Gene Bess has died at the age of 91 on the morning of June 19, 2026.
Bess coached the Three Rivers Raiders from 1971 to 2020 and left the program as the winningest coach in college basketball history (1,300-416). He led Three Rivers to 17 NJCAA National Tournament appearances, and two National Titles (1979, 1992).
Bess was elected to the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 2023, the NJCAA Hall of Fame in 1989, the Poplar Bluff Sports Hall of Fame in 1983, the Missouri Basketball Coaches Hall of Fame in 1988, and the Missouri Sports Hall of Fame in 2006.
The legendary coach was honored with a statue in front of Libla Family Sports Complex in February of 2023.