Joe Dean Jr., former Mississippi State player and SEC broadcaster, dies at 71

Yahoo Sports1 min read • Latest: Aug 17, 2026, 6:38 PM

Last updated Aug 17, 2026

Joe Dean Jr., former Mississippi State player and SEC broadcaster, dies at 71
Summary

Joe Dean Jr., a former Mississippi State basketball player and SEC broadcaster, passed away at the age of 71, as confirmed on August 17. Dean played for the Bulldogs from 1974 to 1976 and later pursued a coaching career that included winning a national championship with Kentucky in 1978. He also served as Birmingham-Southern's athletic director before transitioning to broadcast SEC games for nearly 20 years. Tim Brando, a longtime colleague, remembered Dean fondly in a social media post, reflecting on their shared moments in SEC basketball.

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By the Numbers
  • Joe Dean Jr. played for Mississippi State from 1974 to 1976.
  • He was an assistant coach at Kentucky and won the 1978 national championship.
  • Dean served as the head coach at Birmingham-Southern and UCF.
  • He began his broadcasting career after coaching and worked with Tim Brando.
  • Dean's death was confirmed on August 17, 2026.
Latest Updates
  • 6:38 PMYahoo SportsJoe Dean Jr., former Mississippi State basketball player, SEC broadcaster, dies at 71
What they're saying
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Joe Dean Jr., who played for Mississippi State basketball in the 1970s before announcing SEC games on TV, died at 71 years old.

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