Michael Jordan's high school basketball coach, Clifton 'Pop' Herring, passes away

Posted Dec 13, 2019
Clifton “Pop” Herring, a former Laney (Wilmington, NC) High School basketball coach who coached Michael Jordan, passed away Wednesday. Herring supposedly cut Jordan his sophomore year at Laney. However, in a 2012 article Herring said Jordan wasn’t cut, but rather placed on the JV team before starring for the varsity squad his final two years. (USA Today)

Related: Other News

Inside the basketball of 'One Tree Hill' 23 years later
"Are you here for the big game?" my new friend behind the car rental counter asked after I landed in Michael Jordan's hometown. "You need...
Wed Sep 23, 2026

Chris Spatola, ESPN personality and son-in-law of Mike Krzyzewski, suddenly dies at 47
Chris Spatola, a former Duke staffer from 2007 to 2012 and the son-in-law of legendary coach Mike Krzyzewski, died suddenly at age 47 on Monday,...
Wed Sep 23, 2026

A cathartic win 293 days in the making: Hanging in The Grove for Lane Kiffin's return
The sun felt murderous enough that it seemed to have relocated from 93 million miles away to maybe 12. Areas of shade felt almost like...
Tue Sep 22, 2026

Listen to all the calls of Vanderbilt’s miracle win over NC State
Vanderbilt beat NC State in one of the most stunning, improbable college football finishes you will ever see. NC State led 31-28 and had fourth-and-3...
Tue Sep 22, 2026