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O'Shea on the passing of Charlie Coles
Posted: Jun 07, 2013

O'Shea on the passing of Charlie Coles

Bryant University men's basketball coach, and former Ohio University coach Tim O'Shea, has released this statement following news of the passing of former Miami University coach Charlie Coles:

"Charlie was one of the best," said O'Shea. "During my seven years at Ohio, we played against Charlie 19 times and there was nobody more well-liked and respected in a competitive coaching situation than Charlie. It's a great loss for college basketball and he should be remembered as one of the best to have ever coached the game. My condolences go out to his family and the Miami University family."

Coles, who retired in 2012, coached for 22 seasons in the Mid-American Conference, including six at Central Michigan, where he amassed a career record of 355-308. Coles was named the MAC Coach of the Year twice, once at Central Michigan in 1987 and once at Miami in 2005.

The all-time leader in wins in Miami history with 263, Coles led the RedHawks to seven postseason appearances, including NCAA tournament appearances in 1997, 1999 and 2007. His first Miami team finished 21-9 and became just the second coach in Miami history to lead his team to the MAC title, earn 20 or more wins and trip to the NCAA Tournament in his first season.