Pfeiffer Athletics Mourns the Passing of Former Men's Basketball Coach John Lentz
Misenheimer, N.C. (Dec. 2, 2025) – Pfeiffer University Athletics mourns the passing of former head men's basketball coach John Lentz on Saturday, November 29, 2025. He was 73 years old.
Lentz got his start at the collegiate level at Pfeiffer, serving as head coach from 1983-1986.
In his first season as a head coach, he guided the Falcons to a 15-10 overall record. His 1984-85 team completed the season with a 23-9 mark and in his final year with Pfeiffer in 1985-86, his team finished 15-14. All told, Lentz compiled a 53-33 overall record while coaching in Misenheimer. His 1984-85 team won the Carolinas Conference Regular Season title and advanced to the NAIA Tournament.
Following his three seasons at Pfeiffer, he was named head coach at his alma mater, Lenoir-Rhyne College. The 1974 Lenoir-Rhyne graduate coached the Bears for 29 seasons. While in Hickory, he posted a career mark of 432-376. His 432 wins are the most in Lenior-Rhyne and South Atlantic Conference history.
He won 12 South Atlantic Conference Championships and was named SAC Coach of the Year on five occasions. He also led four Lenoir-Rhyne players to SAC Player of the Year honors.
Additionally his 1993 Lenoir-Rhyne team made an appearance in the NAIA Elite Eight.
A standout player, he is the Lenoir-Rhyne leader in career assists (524) and scored 1,755 points, which is fifth all-time in program history.
Coach Lentz is survived by his wife of 49, Judi and their two children Bryan and Michelle along with five grandchildren.
All former players of Coach Lentz are invited to attend the December, 20
th Lenoir-Rhyne basketball game against Mars Hill University. A Celebration of Life Service to honor the legacy of coach Lentz will be held in Shuford Memorial Arena on the Lenior-Rhyne campus on Sunday, December 21
st, 2025 at 2:00 p.m.
Attendance is open for everyone and individuals are encouraged to wear Lenoir-Rhyne apparel or the colors, red, black, or white.
