Gary Colson

American basketball coach and executive (1934–2023)
Gary Colson
Biographical details
Born(1934-04-30)April 30, 1934
Logansport, Indiana, U.S.
DiedNovember 3, 2023(2023-11-03) (aged 89)
Santa Barbara, California, U.S.
Playing career
1953–1956David Lipscomb
Coaching career (HC unless noted)
1958–1968Valdosta State
1968–1979Pepperdine
1980–1988New Mexico
1990–1995Fresno State
Accomplishments and honors
Championships
WCAC regular season (1976)
Awards
WCAC Coach of the Year (1976)
WAC Coach of the Year (1984)

Gary Colson (April 30, 1934 – November 3, 2023) was an American basketball coach and executive. The Logansport, Indiana, native guided several college men's basketball teams, including Valdosta State University, Pepperdine University, University of New Mexico and California State University, Fresno. He compiled a 563–385 (.594) record over 34 seasons of coaching between 1959 and 1995. In 2002, he joined the Memphis Grizzlies' front office as Assistant to the President of Basketball Operations.[1] In his later years, Coach Colson was a basketball instructor at the University of California, Santa Barbara. Coach Colson earned his bachelor's degree in health and physical education from David Lipscomb College (now Lipscomb University) in 1956. He was inducted into the Lipscomb Athletics Hall of Fame in 1998 in the "Athlete" category.

Colson died from lymphoma in Santa Barbara, California, on November 3, 2023, at the age of 89.[2]

References

  1. ^ Gary Colson Appointed as Assistant to the President.
  2. ^ Gary Colson, who lobbied to add the 3-point shot during a basketball coaching career, dies at 89
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Pepperdine Waves men's basketball head coaches

# denotes interim head coach

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New Mexico Lobos men's basketball head coaches
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Fresno State Bulldogs men's basketball head coaches
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West Coast Conference Men's Basketball Coach of the Year
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Western Athletic Conference Men's Basketball Coach of the Year


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