Feb. 9, 2007

COLLEGE STATION, Texas (AP) -Shelby Metcalf, who set a record for Southwest Conference victories in his 27 seasons as head coach at Texas A&M, died Thursday at age 76.

Metcalf died at a College Station hospital after battling a lengthy illness, the university said in a news release.

Metcalf, who became coach in 1963 and left midway through the 1990 season, finished his career with an overall record of 438-306 and a 239-158 mark in Southwest Conference play.

In his inaugural season, at age 33, he led the Aggies to the first of six conference championships during his tenure.

"He was A&M basketball," said Texas A&M associate athletic director John Thornton, who played and coached under Metcalf. "He was a very intelligent guy. It was beautiful to watch him disarm people and recruit people with his wit and humor. There was nobody like him."

Metcalf's teams achieved five NCAA tournament appearances, including a trip to the Sweet 16 in 1980.

"You knew it was always going to be a tough, physical game against the Aggies," said Gerald Myers, Texas Tech athletic director and former coach. "I thought Shelby's teams were as tough to play as anybody, and we had some pretty good coaches in that league back then."

Metcalf's homespun humor was as well known as his competitiveness. His most popular quote was one that he claimed to have said to a player whose grade report showed four Fs and a D.

"Son, it looks to me like you're spending too much time on one subject," Metcalf told the student.

Metcalf was an All-American guard at East Texas State, now Texas A&M-Commerce, where he helped lead the team to an NAIA national championship his senior year.

Metcalf is survived by his wife, Janis, daughter and two grandchildren. Funeral arrangements are pending.