Former Baylor men’s basketball coach Gene Iba has died at 84, the program announced in a social media post Monday.
Iba led the Baylor men’s basketball team from 1985-92, guiding the program to the NCAA Tournament in 1988. That NCAA Tournament appearance was notable since it was Baylor’s first since the 1949-50 season.
Scott Drew, Baylor’s current men’s basketball coach, reacted to Iba’s passing Monday evening. Drew said the Iba family “meant so much to Baylor Basketball and all College Basketball.”
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In seven seasons at Baylor, Iba led the Bears to a 98-106 mark. He made various stops throughout his coaching career, powering Houston Christian (then Houston Baptist) to a 128-96 record from 1977-85. He led Houston Christian to the NCAA Tournament in 1984.
Iba last coached at Pittsburg State, a Division II program based in Pittsburg, Kansas. He led the school’s men’s basketball team from 1995-2010.
Gene Iba wasn’t the only basketball coach in his family. His father, Clarence Iba, coached at Oklahoma Panhandle A&M (1936-37) and the University of Tulsa (1949-60). His uncle, Hank Iba, notably coached at Oklahoma State from 1934-70. Oklahoma State’s basketball arena is named Gallagher-Iba Arena in Hank’s honor.
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