CARTERVILLE(WSIL)-- On Christmas day Southern Illinois basketball coaching legend Rich Herrin passed away at the age of 87. Starting in 1960 Herrin spent 25 years leading Benton high schools boy's basketball team to 521 wins. The gym inside Benton named the Rich Herrin gymnasium shortly after he left.
Herrin then made the jump from high school to division one basketball coaching the Salukis for 13 seasons. Herrin completely transformed and rebuilt the program leading SIU to the NIT it's first post season appearance in 12 years. Herrin guided the program to 3 straight Missouri Valley Conference tournament wins, only 3 peat in league history and to SIU's first NCAA tournament appearance in 16 years.
Those close to Herrin spoke of the remarkable man he was.
