Former Mississippi State Star and SEC Broadcaster Joe Dean Jr. Dies at 71

Mississippi State University confirmed the death of Joe Dean Jr. on Aug. 17. The 71-year-old was a former Bulldogs basketball player and a longtime figure in Southeastern Conference media.

Dean played for Mississippi State from 1974 to 1976 under head coach Kermit Davis Sr., earning three letters as a player. Following his time on the court, he transitioned to coaching, beginning as a graduate assistant at his alma mater. He later served as an assistant coach at the University of Kentucky, where he was part of the staff that won the 1978 national championship.

His coaching career included head coaching stints at Birmingham-Southern College and the University of Central Florida (UCF) from 1989 to 1993. He later returned to Birmingham-Southern, serving as the institution’s athletic director from 1999 until 2016.

After his coaching tenure ended, Dean moved into sports broadcasting, covering SEC basketball for nearly two decades. He frequently worked alongside Fox Corporation personality Tim Brando. Fox Corporation, currently trading with a market capitalization of over $26 billion, operates extensive sports and news programming segments where Dean’s broadcasting colleagues remain active.

Brando paid tribute to Dean on social media, remembering him as a “walking talking memorial to his legendary father” and noting their shared experiences covering the SEC.

What to watch

• University statements regarding memorial services or legacy recognitions for Dean.

Source: original release