SPRINGFIELD, Ohio-- Former Wittenberg head men's basketball coach Larry Hunter passed away peacefully this morning around 11:00 am at WakeMed Cary Hospital, in Cary, North Carolina. Hunter, 68, had been in the hospital after suffering a massive stroke.

Hunter retired in March after 13 seasons at Western Carolina. He was an assistant coach at Wittenberg from 1973-76 and the head coach from 1976-89. His record at Wittenberg was 305-76.

"Larry is one of the most recognizable names in our program's history. He won an NCAA Championship, had many other great teams and players. But his legacy at Witt is the long list of people he influenced in a positive way. Larry's guys are all so passionate about how he changed their lives. He'll always be a Tiger!" said head men's basketball coach Matt Croci. 

Hunter spent more than five decades involved in playing and coaching the game at the intercollegiate level. His head coaching career spanned three different universities with each stop featuring 12-plus years of service. All told, Hunter's 47-year collegiate coaching career was spent between five different institutions and included stops as an assistant or associate head coach at Marietta College (1971-73) and North Carolina State (2001-05), with head coaching positions held at Wittenberg (1976-89), his alma mater Ohio University (1989-2001), and finally at Western Carolina (2005-18).

Hunter was a two-time Ohio Athletic Conference (OAC) Coach of the Year, the 1994 Mid-American Conference (MAC) Coach of the Year, and garnered NABC Division III National Coach of the Year honors in 1977. In August of 2016, Hunter was inducted into the Ohio Basketball Hall of Fame where he joined Bert Price, class of 1961; Pam Evans Smith, class of 1982; Brian Agler, class of 1980; Don Henderson, class of 1954; Frank Shannon, class of 1940; Eldon Miller, class of 1962; Al Thrasher, class of 1964; and Ray Mears, who coached the Tigers from 1956-62. 

Hunter's head coaching career began in 1976-77 as by guiding the Tigers to a then OAC regular season title on the way to claiming a NCAA Division III National Championship. It was the start of a tremendous run on the sidelines at Wittenberg, including four NCAA Division III Tournament semifinal (Final Four) appearances, six Ohio Athletic Conference (OAC) regular season titles, six OAC Tournament titles, and a runner-up finish in the 1983 NCAA Division III Tournament. Hunter earned six district coach of the year during his Wittenberg career. 

The Division III national championship in 1977 served as the first time a coach won a national title in his first season as a NCAA head coach. Four of Wittenberg's top 10 individual scorers played for Hunter, including the program's all-time leader, Steve Iannarino (1,973 points).

Hunter was inducted into Wittenberg's Hall of Honor in 1996.

Hunter remained close to Wittenberg and wrote a letter in support of the men's basketball endowment several years ago.

"My sixteen years at Wittenberg remain the highlight of my coaching career," Hunter wrote. "Hardly a day goes by that I do not count my blessings for the experience and opportunity that Wittenberg provided."

Most recently, Hunter achieved a milestone victory during the 2017-18 season. He became one of 40 coaches in NCAA history  to eclipse the 700-career victory mark.  He finished his career with 702 career wins.

He is survived by his wife, Mary.

The passing of Coach Larry Hunter is extremely sad. He gave his heart, soul and passion to the coaching profession and ALWAYS had time and encouraging words for his peers. I followed him since I was a kid when he was at Wittenberg. Thank you to his family for sharing him with us.

— Tom Crean (@TomCrean) May 4, 2018

It is with a heavy heart that we have received news that former Wittenberg head men's basketball coach Larry Hunter has passed away. Coach Hunter is an all-time great who left a positive lasting impact on so many people. You will be missed Coach. RIP #TigerPride pic.twitter.com/iKTHf72RCv

— Wittenberg Hoops (@WittenbergHoops) May 4, 2018

Matt Croci said Larry Hunter, who died Friday at 68, emailed him a number of times this past season to say how proud he was of the season Wittenberg was having. pic.twitter.com/Px8ZxqqtQ7

— David Jablonski (@DavidPJablonski) May 4, 2018

Larry Hunter was a man of tremendous character that spent his life mentoring and helping to develop the lives of young men. His impact was felt far beyond his many achievements on the basketball court. Coach Hunter and his legacy will live on within our program for years to come.

— Mark Prosser (@MarkProsser15) May 4, 2018

RIP Larry Hunter - thanks coach for all that you gave to so many people and to our game. #impact

— John Groce (@JohnGroce) May 4, 2018

Everyday before Winthrop basketball practice, our team makes one trip around the court without touching the out of bounds lines. This is to signify that "we don't cut corners." Was given to me by Larry Hunter in a random conversation in 2014. He will be missed in our profession.

— Pat Kelsey (@patkelsey) May 4, 2018

Saying a prayer from my family to Coach Larry Hunter and his family tonight. Anyone who ever played for him would understand his toughness. "Taste the Leather" ! Good man, loved his players and family. ������⚪️

— Arch Miller (@Archie_Miller) May 2, 2018

LA Sparks head coach @BrianAgler, who was a freshman when @WittenbergHoops won the national title in 1977 in Larry Hunter's first season, remained close to Hunter through all the years. They spoke after Hunter stepped down in March, and Hunter said he wanted to coach again. pic.twitter.com/3E55oPaAfi

— David Jablonski (@DavidPJablonski) May 4, 2018