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NEW ORLEANS — Benny Dees, who led New Orleans men’s basketball to its first NCAA Division I appearance and only victory in the Big Dance, died Tuesday at the age of 86. Dees went 42-16 in two seasons on the Lakefront, including one of the best seasons ever at UNO, as the 1986-87 squad went 26-4 and defeated BYU 83-79 in the Southeast Regional. 

“Benny was a great coach and motivator,” said Hall of Fame coach and former Director of Athletics Ron Maestri. “Benny had a great sense of humor and was a joy to be around. It is a sad day for UNO Athletics. God Bless Benny and his family.”

Maestri hired Dees in April of 1985 (RELEASE HERE courtesy of AP). Maestri mentioned Dees’ experience in recruiting as a “major factor.” Dees joined the Privateers after four seasons on Wimp Anderson’s staff at Alabama. Prior to that, Dees was the first head coach and Director of Athletics at VCU. 

In his debut season on the Lakefront, Dees went 16-12, but the club broke out to a program record 26 wins in 1986-87 with victories over LSU, USC, Oklahoma State and a tournament win against BYU. The 26 wins is tied for the UNO record (Tim Floyd in 1992-93).

It was the final independent season for UNO before joining the American South Conference. The Privateers flirted with a national ranking as an independent

That year, Dees was able to bring in the nation’s No.1 Junior College recruit in Ledell Eackles. His recruiting prowess that featured Eackles, and several Tulane transfers after the point-shaving scandal, was a feature on the LA Times (HERE). The team included several top 50 players in program history, including another transfer in Ronnie Grandison.

Following his two seasons at UNO, Dees led his alma mater Wyoming to 104 wins in six seasons, including an NCAA Tournament appearance in year No. 1.

Born December 29, 1934, he played two sports for Wyoming (basketball and baseball). A native of Mount Vernon, Georgia, he, and wife Nancy have a son Josh that played for Dees at Wyoming and Western Carolina.

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{Courtesy: Press Release from UNO}