May 18, 2010

HOUSTON, Texas (www.NCCUEaglePride.com) - Former North Carolina Central University head football coach Henry C. Lattimore passed away early Tuesday (May 18) morning in Houston, Texas, after a long battle with Alzheimer's disease. He was 76 years old.

Born on Feb. 25, 1934 in Natchez, Miss., Lattimore amassed a record of 71 wins, 55 losses and 3 ties as the Eagles' head mentor from 1979-90. His 71 victories rank second among NCCU head football coaches, trailing only Herman Riddick with 112 wins (1945-64).

In just his second season on the sideline, Lattimore snapped a drought of four consecutive losing seasons by guiding the Eagles to the 1980 CIAA (Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association) Championship. Under Lattimore's leadership, NCCU posted seven more winning records in the next eight seasons, including an 8-1-1 mark in 1983.

His 1986 squad broke the school record by averaging 30.7 points per game, becoming the first NCCU gridiron group to score more than 300 points in a season (307 points).

The 1988 edition of the Eagles became the first team in school history to win nine games in a season (9-2-1) and remain the only NCCU squad to win an NCAA playoff game.

A memorial service is scheduled for June 5 at 11 a.m. at Walls Chapel AME Zion Church (4215 Hull Street at intersection with England Street) in Houston, Texas.

In lieu of flowers, the family has asked for donations to be sent to the Walls Chapel AME Zion Church (4215 Hull St., Houston, Texas 77021) or to Joyce H. Lattimore (7927 Cobblefield Lane, Houston, Texas 77071) with a portion of the proceeds benefiting the Alzheimer's Association.