William Jewell Mourns Loss of Longtime Men’s Basketball Coach Larry Holley

Former William Jewell College men’s basketball coach Larry Holley, whose 919 total career wins ranks 10th all-time among men’s college basketball coaches, died Thursday. Holley’s coaching career began in 1968 at Harrisburg High School before he took over in 1969 at Central Methodist University. After six seasons with the Eagles, Holley spent two seasons as an assistant coach before taking over the Northwest Missouri State University program, where he finished 26-26 in two seasons. Holley took over at Jewell, his alma mater, following the 1978-79 season. He led the Cardinals to 25 20-win seasons, 11 Heart of America Athletic Conference championships and finished with an 832-460 career record. Under Holley, the Cardinals won 12 conference championships and appeared in 14 NAIA national tournaments. Holley was inducted into the Missouri Sports Hall of Fame in 2009 and received the Pinnacle Award from the Missouri Sports Hall of Fame for lifetime achievement in Show-Me State athletics in 2020. Holley is survived by his wife Linda, three daughters Lindsay, Lauren and Lacey with late wife Anne, in addition to multiple grandchildren and other family.