Large crowds attend funeral of longtime Miami basketball coach Charlie Coles

6/13/2013
ASSOCIATED PRESS

OXFORD, Ohio — Former players and coaching colleagues were among mourners at funeral services for former Miami (Ohio) basketball coach Charlie Coles, the school's all-time leader in victories.

Hundreds of people attended the visitation and funeral services Thursday at Millett Hall on the Miami campus in southwest Ohio.

Former Miami stars Devin Davis, Damon Frierson, Kenny Hayes, Jermaine Henderson, Jason Grunkemeyer and Greg Knox were pallbearers. A Miami spokeswoman says university president David Hodge and former longtime coach Darrell Hedric were among the speakers celebrating Coles' life at the nearly three-hour services.

Photos of the coach with family, friends and players were flashed on a video screen.

Coles died last Friday in Oxford. He was 71.

Coles is survived by his wife, Delores, son Chris and daughter Mary Bennett, and four grandchildren.