The University of Tennessee at Martin head men’s basketball coach died today.
Head coach Anthony Stewart was 50 years old and entering his fifth season leading the Skyhawks.
According to a release, Stewart joined the team as an associate coach in 2014, leading the men’s basketball team to a record-tying 22 wins in his debut 2016-2017 season. UT Martin won its first ever, outright Ohio Valley Conference West division championship that season, advancing to a second consecutive OVC championship game.
Stewart was one of 21 finalists for the 2017 Ben Jobe National Coach of the Year award, presented to the top minority Division I head men’s basketball coach in the nation.
"What I will remember most about Coach Stewart was his focus in developing our young men to be leaders in their community, leaders in the workforce and leaders in their homes," UT Martin Chancellor Keith Carver said in a statement. "He always stressed the development of the entire person, well beyond athletics."
This story may be updated.