Gene Bess, the all-time winningest junior college basketball coach, has passed away at his home in Poplar Bluff, Missouri. He was 91.
Videos by FanBuzz
Bess is survived by his wife, Nelda, their two children, Jannell and Brian. He is also survived by four grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.
"This morning at 4:00am my dad went to be with Jesus," Bess' son, Brian, wrote in a Facebook post. "We are making arrangements and will let you know when we will celebrate."
Gene Bess' legacy at Three Rivers College extends far beyond the sport of basketball. And even after his passing, his legacy continues to impact people across southeast Missouri.
Our Heartland Sports segment from Friday night/Saturday morning, honoring the late Bess. pic.twitter.com/2IbLmiKUEx
— Luke Randle (@LukeRandleTV) June 21, 2026
A native of Missouri, Bess kicked off his coaching career in the high school ranks. He spent 12 years leading programs at Lesterville, Anniston, and Oran while going 237-95. He then became an assistant coach under Bob Cradic for one season at Three Rivers College (1969-70).
Bess took over the Three Rivers College program in 1971 and kicked off a 50-year tenure. The Raiders finished fourth in the nation in his first season as head coach, showing a glimpse of future success.
The Missouri native coached the program from 1971 until 2020, and he led the team to 1,300 wins. He became the first college coach to reach 1,000 wins. His teams reached the NJCCA tournament in 17 different seasons. They reached the national championship game four times. The Raiders won the title in both 1979 and 1992.
The Raiders averaged 26 wins per season during Bess' tenure, which helped him win multiple awards. This includes National Coach of the Year one time and Regional Coach of the Year 23 times. He also won Missouri Community College Athletic Conference Coach of the Year 19 times.
The winningest coach in college history earned enshrinement into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame, Poplar Bluff Sports Hall of Fame, the Missouri Sports Hall of Fame, and the NJCAA Hall of Fame.
"Coach Bess will be remembered for his record number of wins, two national championships and hall of fame career," Brian Rosener, president of the Poplar Bluff Sports Hall of Fame, said in a statement.
"He was also a teacher and mentor, a husband and father, and a friend and neighbor who was a devout Christian that shared his faith and love. His legacy will live through his family, friends, players, students and the Poplar Bluff community."
