CHAPEL HILL, N.C. (AP) - Charlie Spoonhour - the former coach at Missouri State, St. Louis and UNLV - has died. He was 72.
Chuck Harker, the funeral director at Walker's Funeral Home in Chapel Hill, says Spoonhour died Wednesday.
Spoonhour was a popular coach known for his homespun humor and oncourt success. He was diagnosed in 2010 with a lung disease called idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis, which required a transplant at Duke University Medical Center.
Spoonhour spent nine seasons at Missouri State, then known as Southwest Missouri State, and went 197-81 with five NCAA tournament appearances.
He left for St. Louis in 1992, compiling a 122-90 record in seven seasons with three NCAA appearances.
He retired briefly then returned to coaching at UNLV, going 54-31 in three seasons. He retired following the 2003-04 season.