Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: SUNDAY, July 31, 1994 TAG: 9408020054
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: C11 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: ASSOCIATED PRESS
DATELINE: SALT LAKE CITY LENGTH: Medium
Eagles was visiting with Phoenix Suns assistant Scotty Robertson and several former players, who were participating in the Rocky Mountain Revue at the Delta Center.
According to Robertson, Eagles and one of his former players, Suns rookie forward Aaron Swinson, remained on the floor after practice at Salt Lake Community College to work on Swinson's shooting. After throwing a pass to Swinson, Eagles collapsed and didn't regain consciousness.
Paramedics were unable to revive Eagles.
``He's a non-drinker, non-smoker and jogger,'' Robertson said. ``He was supposedly in excellent shape. We're all just devastated.''
Eagles, a Louisiana native who played and later coached at Louisiana Tech, resigned under pressure in March after Auburn posted a disappointing 11-17 season. His record at the Southeastern Conference school was 64-78 in five seasons, during which the Tigers failed to make the NCAA Tournament.
Eagles was replaced by Cliff Ellis, formerly of Clemson.
``After meeting with the president, it is clear to me that Auburn basketball needs a new direction,'' Eagles said in a statement when he resigned. ``I bear no ill will toward ... Auburn. This is the nature of the business.''
``This is a shock. It's a tragedy. There is a tremendous sense of loss,'' said David Housel, who took over as athletic director at Auburn shortly after Eagles resigned. ``There also is a sense of loss for all the young men who would have learned about basketball and about the ups and downs of life as coach Eagles continued his career. ... There was more to this man than basketball.''
Survivors include his wife, Connie; son Jamie, a freshman basketball player at New Orleans; and daughter Katie, all of Mandeville, La.
by CNB