The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley Department of Intercollegiate Athletics announced Sunday men’s basketball Head Coach Lew Hill died at age 55.
According to the news release Sunday night, the cause of death is not known at this time.
Hill was hired as the Vaqueros head coach back on March 31, 2016. In five seasons at the helm, Hill won 67 games, fifth-best total in program history that included a 20-win 2018-19 season that saw UTRGV win its first NCAA Division I postseason game, 74-73 over Grambling State, in the first round of the CollegeInsider.com Tournament.
“Words cannot describe how any of us feel right now. Everyone in our department is devastated by this news,” UTRGV Vice President and Director of Athletics Chasse Conque said in the news release. “Coach Hill was an incredible human being. He was my close friend and a trusted colleague.
He cared deeply about those around him, from his family, to his players, to his staff and really, everyone in the department and at UTRGV. We offer our deepest condolences to Renee and Coach Hill’s entire family during this unimaginable time.”
Hill is survived by his wife Renee, their two children, Lewis Jr. (LJ) and Elle, and three other daughters Sierra, Erica and Asya.
In the near future, UTRGV will determine the status of their upcoming games and name an acting head coach.
Twitter: @Radio_Rubio
