HBCU Legends

Legendary SWAC And NAIA Championship Basketball Coach Passes Away At 85

Moreland was Texas Southern's all-time winningest head basketball coach and a SWAC Hall of Famer.

Kyle T. Mosley

Coach Robert "Bob" Moreland
Coach Robert "Bob" Moreland / TSU Athletics
In this story:

HOUSTON — The Texas Southern University community deeply mourns the loss of former men's basketball coach, Robert Moreland, who passed away on Monday at the age of 85.  

Moreland's legacy at Texas Southern included a record of 406 wins and 377 losses. He coached the Tigers from 1975 to 2001 and served as interim coach again from 2007 to 2008. His influence on the TSU basketball program was truly significant with six 20-win seasons and a 30-win season.

Moreland and his aggressive brand of basketball produced three national scoring champions and All-Americans in Harry “Machine Gun” Kelly (twice) and Granger.

- Terrance Harris, Houston Defender

Robert "Bob" Moreland was a native of Utica, Mississippi, and graduated from Tougaloo College in 1962. Athletic director Rod Paige hired him as the Tigers' head coach in 1975.  

One of the highlights of his career as a head coach was winning the 40th Annual NAIA Championship in 1977 when the TSU (No. 5) defeated Campbell, 71-44. TSU star Alonzo Bradley averaged 24.3 points in five games, making 39 baskets and 43 free throws, and received the tournament's MVP trophy.

Coach Robert Moreland
Coach Robert Moreland / Houston Defender

En route to the championship at Kemper Arena in Kansas City, Missouri, the Tigers won:

  • TSU 89, Central State 65
  • Texas Southern 82, Wisconsin-Parkside 80,
  • Texas Southern 87, East Texas State 68 (Quarterfinals)
  • Texas Southern 87, Grand Valley State 62)
  • Texas Southern 71, Campbell 44.   

The Tigers had hometown fans watching the 40th Annual NAIA National Basketball Tournament as it was televised for the first time. College Sports, Inc. in Houston, Texas carried select tournament games on its broadcast.

Moreland was named the SWAC Basketball Coach of the Year five times and inducted into the SWAC Hall of Fame in 2007.

Under his leadership, the Tigers won six SWAC regular season titles (1983, 1989, 1992, 1994, 1995, 1998), and earned three NCAA tournament visits in 1990, 1994, and 1995, registering a 0-3 record.

HBCU LEGENDS PODCAST

Published |Modified
Kyle T. Mosley

KYLE T. MOSLEY

I am Kyle T. Mosley, the Founder, Managing Editor, and Chief Reporter for the HBCU Legends, Saints News Network, and Pelicans Scoop on FanNation a Sports Illustrated team channel since October 2019.  Morehouse Alum, McDonogh #35 Roneagles (NOLA), Drum Major of the Tenacious Four.  My Father, Mother, Grandmother, Aunts and Uncles were HBCU graduates! Host of "Blow the Whistle" HBCU Legends, "The Quad" with Coach Steward, and "Bayou Blitz" Podcasts. Radio/Media Appearances:  WWL AM/FM Radio in New Orleans (Mike Detillier/Bobby Hebert),  KCOH AM 1230 in Houston (Ralph Cooper), WBOK AM in New Orleans (Reggie Flood/Ro Brown), and 103.7FM "The Game" (Jordy Hultberg/Clint Domingue), College Kickoff Unlimited (Emory Hunt), Jeff Lightsly Show, and Offscript TV on YouTube. Television Appearance: Fox26 in Houston on The Isiah Carey Factor, College Kickoff Unlimited (Emory Hunt). My Notable Interviews:  Byron Allen (Media Mogul), Deion Sanders (Jackson State University, Head Coach), Tomekia Reed (Jackson State Lady Tigers Basketball Coach), Taylor Rooks (NBA Reporter), Swin Cash (VP of Basketball - New Orlean Pelicans), Demario and Tamala Davis (NFL Player), Jerry Rice (Hall of Famer), Doug Williams (HBCU & NFL Legend), Emmitt Smith (Hall of Famer), James "Shack" Harris (HBCU & NFL Legend), Cris Carter (Hall of Famer), Solomon Wilcots (SiriusXM NFL Host), Steve Wyche (NFL Network), Jim Trotter (NFL Network), Travis Williams (Founder of HBCU All-Stars, LLC), Malcolm Jenkins (NFL Player), Cam Jordan (NFL), Demario Davis (NFL), Allan Houston (NBA All-Star), Drew Brees (Former NFL QB), Deuce McAllister (Former NFL RB), Willie Roaf (NFL Hall of Fame), Jim Everett (Former NFL Player), Quinn Early (Former NFL Player), Dr. Reef (NFL Players' Trainer Specialist), Nataria Holloway (VP of the NFL). I am building a new team of journalists, podcasters, videographers, and interns.  For media requests, interviews, or interest in joining HBCU Legends, please contact me at kmosley@hbcusi.com. Follow me:

Home/Basketball