Sports
Hall Of Fame DeMatha Basketball Coach Morgan Wootten Dies
Morgan Wootten, one of the winningest high school basketball coaches in the U.S., died peacefully in his home, according to his family.
HYATTSVILLE, MD -- Morgan Wootten, the Hall of Fame coach who turned DeMatha Catholic High School's basketball team into a perennial powerhouse, died peacefully at his home Tuesday night, according to a post on DeMatha's Twitter account. He was 88.
Wootten coached varsity basketball at the Hyattsville school for 46 seasons, earning 30 conference titles and six national championships. Wootten retired as the winningest high school coach with a record of 1,274-192, although now he is the second winningest, according to the Associated Press. He also was a teacher at DeMatha for 33 years.
“I consider two people to be personal heroes of mine: my father, and legendary DeMatha Catholic High School basketball coach, Morgan Wootten," Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan said, in a statement. "I am absolutely heartbroken to learn that Coach Wootten passed away yesterday."
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In 2000, Wootten became only the third high school coach to be inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame.
“I was deeply saddened to learn of the passing of Coach Morgan Wootten, one of the greatest high school basketball coaches of all time," said U.S. Rep. Steny Hoyer (D-Md.) in a statement. "Coach Wootten inspired thousands of students at DeMatha Catholic High School and around the state of Maryland, and he will be sorely missed."
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Adrian Dantley, Danny Ferry, Sidney Lowe and Kenny Carr were among the future NBA stars Wootten coached.
"Coach Wootten had an immeasurable impact not only on my life, but on the lives of his players, students, and the community," Hogan said. "He will be dearly missed, and the First Lady and I are praying for all who knew and loved him.”
The Wootten Family is saddened to share the news that their loving husband and father Morgan Wootten passed away yesterday evening at 9:50pm. Morgan was surrounded by his family in prayer and passed away peacefully as he wished.
— DeMathaHighSchool (@DeMathaCatholic) January 22, 2020
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