Gaines, Clarence E.
Basketball
b. May 21, 1923, Paducah, KY
d. April 18, 2005
Nicknamed "Big House," the 6-foot-5, 250-pound Gaines played football and basketball at Morgan State, graduating in 1945. He became an assistant coach at Winston-Salem State and took over as head basketball coach and athletic director in 1947.
In 47 seasons, Gaines coached the school to 828 victories, second only to Adolph Rupp, and 446 losses. Led by Earl "the Pearl" Monroe, Winston-Salem State won 31 of 32 games in 1966-67 and became the first predominantly black school to win an NCAA basketball championship, in the College Division.
Gaines was named College Division coach of the year in 1967. He retired after the 1992-93 season.