Former MSU coach dies at 91

Provided by Missouri State University

Bill Thomas is credited with shaping "the landscape of Bears' basketball for nearly three decades."

Former Missouri State University men's basketball coach Bill Thomas has died.

He died April 15 at age 91, according to a news release from the university. Services for Thomas are scheduled to be finalized in the coming days through Gorman-Scharpf Funeral Home in Springfield.

"Thomas' legacy on the Springfield campus shaped the landscape of Bears' basketball for nearly three decades as a player, assistant coach and ultimately as head coach of the Bears for three trips to the NCAA Division II championship game," officials said in the release.

Head coach for 16 seasons starting in 1964, Thomas led the team to win or tie in the conference championship five straight years from 1966-70 and to second place finishes in the NCAA Division II National Tournament in 1967, 1969 and 1974.

He had a 265-158 record as MSU's head basketball coach, twice was honored as National Association of Basketball Coaches District Coach of the Year and in 1974 was named the College Division National Coach of the Year by the NABC.

Thomas' jersey was retired by MSU in 2015, according to the release.