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Robert Hughes Dies at 96; Basketball HOF Inductee Was Winningest HS Boys Coach Ever | News, Scores, Highlights, Stats, and Rumors

SPRINGFIELD, MA - SEPTEMBER 7: Inductee Roberts Hughes speaks during the Class of 2017 Press Event as part of the 2017 Basketball Hall of Fame Enshrinement Ceremony on September 7, 2017 at the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in Springfield, Massachusetts. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2017 NBAE (Photo by Nathaniel S. Butler/NBAE via Getty Images)

Nathaniel S. Butler/NBAE via Getty Images

Basketball Hall of Famer Robert Hughes, the winningest high school boys hoops coach ever, died Tuesday at the age of 96.

“The Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame is saddened by the loss of legendary high school basketball coach Robert Hughes. Coach Hughes’ record of success at Fort Worth Dunbar is unparalleled, and he opened doors for Black athletes across Texas. His contributions to basketball will live on in the lives of the young men he coached and at the Naismith Hall of Fame.”

Hughes won a total of 1,333 games for two schools in Fort Worth, Texas: I.M. Terrell High School (1958-1973) and Paul Laurence Dunbar High School (1973-2005). His teams earned five state championships and 35 district titles. In addition, Hughes won the 2003 National High School Coach of the Year award as well.

Hughes obviously faced many challenges on and off the court in the era of segregation, as the Hall noted.

“From 1958-1973, Hughes was the head coach of I.M. Terrell High School, an all-black school in Fort Worth, Texas where he refused to let society dictate the future of his players, often placing otherwise forgotten young men in junior colleges in the era of segregation in the South.”

On the court, Hughes’ teams ran their opponents ragged, leading to many victories.

“I’ll admit that we were a bullet going up and down the court,” Hughes said when he was inducted into the Hall (h/t Conor Ryan of MassLive).

“We were runners. That’s what we excelled at. And one of the things we really stressed was that we would never, ever let anyone outrun us, period. We had superintendents going bonkers, we had other teams calling us bad names because we ran so much. It was just our way of life.”

After news of his passing, many people expressed their heartfelt condolences to a man many consider a tremendous pioneer and leader.

Myah Taylor @t_myah

“He was the type of man that as a young coach, you just sat and watched and almost tried to emulate because you knew he was the epitome of success.”
“He did so much for his community in Fort Worth, but really for the entire state.”
Coaches share words on Robert Hughes’ impact. https://t.co/ceSiExwoAA

Clarence Hill Jr @clarencehilljr

It is with an extremely heavy heart that I inform you that Legendary high school basketball coach Robert Hughes has passed away at the age of 96. A Naismith Hall of Famer, all time winningest boys coach in high school basketball history,
Fort Worth Dunbar icon and pioneer. The… pic.twitter.com/P1jDiEJrBt

TR Sullivan @Sullivan_Ranger

I covered Robert Hughes while at the Star-Telegram. A true legend. Larger than life. He won with talent, wisdom and with the sheer force of his dominating personality.
He holds records that will be tough to beat. But his legacy is unmatched regardless pic.twitter.com/qruQ5mFobC

Dionne Anglin @DAnglinFox4

“Never let anyone outwork you.” Legendary Coach Robert Hughes shared w/ me advice he always stood by. I admired him as a girl growing up in Stop Six— & decades later was fortunate enough to interview him as a journalist. A few personal pics he shared with me. RIPCoachHughes pic.twitter.com/sKGDM4kcvm

robert evans @roberte38177251

We lost a trailblazer today in Coach Robert Hughes. He was a friend and mentor to so many of us. Prayers go out to his family pic.twitter.com/aHSFMezGuj

Coach Chris Grotemat @CoachGrotemat

So sad to hear about the passing of legendary TX HS basketball coach, Robert Hughes.
His teams at Dunbar were extraordinary.
Arguably the most accomplished coach in boys bball history, what he achieved off the court as a pioneer, activist, and mentor will never be replicated.

Snoop Johnson BBall Report @SJBasketball14

Said morning in the DFW high school basketball family. We are mourning the loss of The STANDARD, former FW Dunbar basketball coach and Naismith Hall of Famer Robert Hughes Sr. Prayers and condolences go out to the Hughes family and the FW Dunbar family.#ITrustMyEyes pic.twitter.com/JbR80HickT

Hughes also played for Texas Southern from 1951-1954, posting more than 20 points per game during his senior season and becoming a three-time all-conference player.

After his collegiate career, he played for the Harlem Magicians. In 1955, the Boston Celtics used a supplemental draft pick on Hughes.

Hughes ultimately made a tremendous impact as a high school basketball coach, starting his career two years later. The rest is history, and Hughes leaves a tremendous legacy that won’t soon be forgotten.

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