Ex-LSU Coach Press Maravich Dies

Peter (Press) Maravich, father and former coach of college and NBA star Pete Maravich, died at Highland Park Hospital on Wednesday after an extended illness. He was 71.

Maravich enjoyed his greatest success as coach of Louisiana State from 1967 through 1972. For three of those seasons, he had the services of his son, college basketball’s career scoring leader.

With the younger Maravich scoring 3,667 points, Press Maravich pumped life into an LSU program that had enjoyed only one winning season in 13 years. The Tigers were 14-12 in 1968, Pete’s sophomore year, and 13-13 in 1969. In 1970, LSU was 22-10, matching a school record for victories, and advanced to the quarterfinals of the National Invitation Tournament.

Maravich stayed at LSU for two more seasons, posting records of 14-12 and 10-16. His 17-year major college record at Clemson, North Carolina State, LSU and Appalachian State was 183-258.