HICKORY, N.C. - Lenoir-Rhyne University mourns the loss of former and longtime Lenoir-Rhyne men's basketball coach John Lentz '74, who passed away on Saturday, November 29, 2025 at the age of 73.

The memory of John Lentz is ingrained within the fabric of Lenoir-Rhyne and LR Athletics. Born in Willingboro, New Jersey, Lentz was a student-athlete for the Bears from 1970-74 and spent 29 years (1986-2015) as the men's basketball head coach. An incredible player on the hardwood, he is the school's all-time leader in assists (524) and sits fifth all-time in career points (1,755). As a coach, Lentz won 432 games and advanced to the postseason nine times, highlighted by an NAIA Elite Eight appearance in 1993. He won a total of 12 South Atlantic Conference Championships, took home five SAC Coach of the Year awards, and coached four SAC Players of the Year. His 432 victories are the most for a coach in both Lenoir-Rhyne and South Atlantic Conference history. He is both a Lenoir-Rhyne and Catawba County Sports Hall of Fame Inductee. The basketball court in Shuford Memorial Arena was named after coach Lentz in 2020. 

Coach Lentz is survived by his loving wife of 49 years, Judi; two children, Bryan and Michelle; and five grandchildren.

All former players of Coach Lentz are invited to attend the Lenoir-Rhyne's Men's Basketball game vs. Mars Hill on Saturday, December 20th. A Celebration of Life to honor coach Lentz's legacy will be held in Shuford Memorial Arena on Sunday, December 21st, at 2:00 p.m. Attendance is open to everyone and individuals are encouraged to wear either Lenoir-Rhyne apparel or the colors red, black, or white.