Former Norfolk State University men's basketball coach Lucias Mitchell passed away on Tuesday night after a lengthy illness. He was 74.

Mitchell coached three years at NSU (1978-81), compiling a 61-28 record. The Spartans appeared in the NAIA national tournament after each of his seasons as coach. After stepping down as coach, Mitchell worked at NSU as a professor of health and safety and director of driver education until his retirement in 2007.

Mitchell coached a total of 15 years at Alabama State, Kentucky State and NSU, compiling a 325-103 record. His teams at KSU won three consecutive NAIA national titles (1970-72). Mitchell graduated in 1956 from Jackson State, where played on the basketball team coached by Harrison B. Wilson, who would later become president of Norfolk State University.

Funeral arrangements are pending.