Rich Herrin

Teams coached: Southern Illinois Salukis
Southern Illinois record: 225-176 (.561)
Overall record^: 225-176 (.561)

2012-2017	Morthland College
1985-1998	Southern Illinois

Richard E. Herrin
Born April 6, 1933
Died December 25, 2020
Hometown: Benton, Illinois
Alma Mater: McKendree College (BA, 1956)
Earned 11 varsity letters (in basketball, track, golf and baseball) at McKendree in Lebanon, IL
After graduating in 1956, Herrin became the head basketball coach at Okawville HS (IL)
From 1960-85, Herrin served as the head coach at Benton HS in his hometown of Benton, IL
- He won 21 regional championships and was named Southern Illinois’ COY five times
- Coached a number of future college players, including eventual NBA player and coach Doug Collins
- Amassed a total of 616 victories as a high school coach in Southern Illinois
Hired in 1985 to be the head coach of the SIU Salukis, his first collegiate gig
- Turned around a program that went just 8-20 in his first season to seven straight postseason berths
- Won three MVC titles and three MVC Tournaments and went to 3 NCAAs and 4 NITs
- Parted ways with the school in 1998 after three-straight losing seasons
Spent a few years away before returning to the game, spending five years coaching at Marion HS (IL)
Finished his career as the head coach at Morthland College in West Frankfort, IL (closed in 2018)
Inducted into both the SIU Hall of Fame (c/o 2000) and the MVC Hall of Fame (c/o 2010)
Passed away Christmas Day 2020 at the age of 87; survived by his wife, Sue, and four children, Rodney, Kyle, Randy and Kristy

Doug Collins (Philadelphia 76ers, Washington Wizards, Detroit Pistons, Chicago Bulls)
Chris Lowery (Southern Illinois)
Paul Lusk (Missouri State, Dubuque)
Robert McCullum (Florida A&M, South Florida, Western Michigan)

^ overall record includes head coaching positions at the NCAA Division I level only