Gene Bartow, a former coach at Memphis State and UCLA, was hired Thursday as president of Hoops LP, the company that operates the Memphis Grizzlies and their arena, the FedExForum. Bartow was chosen NCAA Coach of the Year in 1973 after leading the Tigers to the NCAA final against powerhouse UCLA. Memphis State is now called the University of Memphis. After a one-season stint at Illinois, Bartow succeeded John Wooden at UCLA, going 52-9 in two seasons and leading the Bruins to the Final Four in 1976. He then left to help found the athletic program at Alabama-Birmingham, serving as the school’s first head basketball coach and athletic director. He retired from UAB in 2000 and has been a special adviser to the Grizzlies since they relocated from Vancouver in 2001. He has helped the team scout and worked in the community to promote the team and sell tickets and sponsorships. Bartow also coached at Central Missouri and Valparaiso.
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