Rex Hughes

Rex Hughes (September 24, 1938[1] – May 9, 2016) was an American college and professional basketball coach. He coached men's basketball at Long Beach City College, Kent State University, and later served as a National Basketball Association (NBA) assistant coach. He served as head coach for part of a season with the Sacramento Kings, and a single game as an interim coach with the San Antonio Spurs. Hughes also worked in NBA scouting and basketball operations with the Kings, Atlanta Hawks and Orlando Magic.[2] Hughes went to Redondo High School and played college basketball at Pepperdine.[3][4]

Rex Hughes
Hughes in 1975
Biographical details
Born(1938-09-24)September 24, 1938
DiedMay 9, 2016(2016-05-09) (aged 77)
Nipomo, California, U.S.
Playing career
1959–1961Pepperdine
Coaching career (HC unless noted)
1963–1964North Torrance HS (assistant)
1963–1968Redondo HS
1968–1969Long Beach CC
1969–1973Nebraska (assistant)
1973–1974USC (assistant)
1974–1978Kent State
1978–1979Montana Sky
1979–1981UNLV (assistant)
1990–1992Sacramento Kings (assistant)
1991–1992Sacramento Kings
1992–1993San Antonio Spurs (assistant)
1992–1993San Antonio Spurs
1995–1997Vancouver Grizzlies (assistant)
Accomplishments and honors
Records
  • NJCAA 23–5 .821
  • NCAA: 27–63 .300
  • NBA: 23–35 .397

Head Coaching Positions

In 1968–1969, Hughes was head coach at Long Beach City College, his first collegiate job after coaching in high school. His squad finished 23–5. When Hughes left to be an assistant at Nebraska, he was replaced by Lute Olson, in his first collegiate job.[5][6]

Replacing Frank Truitt at Kent State University in 1974, Hughes' teams went 6–20, 12–14 and 8–19 over the next three seasons. The team started 1–10 in 1977–1978, when he was replaced by Mike Boyd.[7]

In 1978–1979, Hughes was head coach and general manager of the Montana Sky (Great Falls, Montana) in the short-lived Western Basketball Association. The Sky were co-owned by country singer Charlie Pride. Notably, Hughes had Cazzie Russell and Brad Davis on the roster. Hughes was hired by the Sky mid-season when Coach Bill Klukas was fired after a 3–17 start. The league folded after one season.[8][9] [10]

In 1991–1992 Hughes served as an assistant coach under Dick Motta with the Sacramento Kings and went 22–35 in 57 games, replacing Motta as head coach after Motta was fired.[11][12][13]

In 1992–1993, Hughes was hired to serve as an assistant coach to Jerry Tarkanian with the San Antonio Spurs. However, just 20 games into the season at 9–11, Tarkanian was fired. Hughes was 1–0 as interim head coach before John Lucas (39–22) was hired.[14]

Media

On March 4, 2009, Hughes became the 15th person in "The Rex Streak", a streak by radio talk show host Jim Rome of consecutive days interviewing someone named Rex.[15]

Death

Hughes died on May 9, 2016, at the age of 77.[16]

References
  1. Marcus, Jeff (28 April 2003). A Biographical Directory of Professional Basketball Coaches. Scarecrow Press. ISBN 9781461726531 – via Google Books.
  2. "Former Kent State head coach Hughes dies". ESPN.com. 11 May 2016.
  3. "Inaugural class inducted into Redondo Athletic Hall of Fame". 17 October 2013.
  4. "Rex Hughes College Stats". College Basketball at Sports-Reference.com.
  5. Hansen, Greg. "Greg Hansen: Lute Olson packs 'em in — again — for long-awaited statue unveiling". Arizona Daily Star.
  6. "Waldner: South Bay mourns two great men and coaches". Los Angeles Daily News. 16 May 2016.
  7. "Kent State Golden Flashes Index". College Basketball at Sports-Reference.com.
  8. "Rex Hughes, former college and NBA coach, dies at 77". USA TODAY.
  9. Kirkpatrick, Curry. "TAKING A GAMBLE ON THE FUTURE". Vault.
  10. "Western Basketball Association Rosters". www.nasljerseys.com.
  11. "1991–92 Sacramento Kings Roster and Stats". Basketball-Reference.com.
  12. "Rex Hughes Coaching Record". College Basketball at Sports-Reference.com.
  13. "Rex Hughes". Basketball-Reference.com.
  14. "1992–93 San Antonio Spurs Roster and Stats". Basketball-Reference.com.
  15. Hoffarth, Tom (6 March 2009). "Same-Rex marriages with Rome hit 17 … more to come?". Father of the Wall. Archived from the original on 29 December 2018. Retrieved 23 May 2023.
  16. "Rex Hughes, former college and NBA coach, dies at 77". 10 May 2016.


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