Gary Colson, Advocate for 3-Point Shot in College Basketball, Dies at 89

Legendary Basketball Coach Overcame Opposing Views to Champion 3-Point Rule and Changed the Game Forever.

Gary Colson, a renowned coach with a win-loss record of 563-385 spanning his 34-year career, died at the age of 89 due to complications from lymphoma.
As a member of the NCAA Rules Committee in 1986, Colson played a pivotal role in getting the 3-point shot added to college basketball, despite facing discouragement from colleagues.
Throughout his career, Colson coached several prominent players, including future Hall of Famer Dennis Johnson and Luc Longley, a three-time NBA title winner with the Chicago Bulls.
Colson served as head coach in a number of institutions, including Fresno State, New Mexico, Pepperdine, and Valdosta State, and made significant contributions to each program.
Beyond coaching, Colson wrote 'California Basketball' and 'New Mexico Basketball — The System', two books about the fundamentals of the game, and held a position as assistant to the president of the Memphis Grizzlies.