Joe Dean Jr., a longtime Birmingham sports figure and former SEC basketball broadcaster, has died at age 71.
A Career Spanning Coaching and Athletics
Dean made a lasting impact at Birmingham-Southern College. He first became the school’s head basketball coach in 1983.
During six seasons, Dean led the Panthers to a 137-45 record. His teams also won three conference championships.
After a coaching stint at the University of Central Florida, Dean returned to Birmingham. He later became athletics director at Birmingham-Southern in 1999.
Dean served as athletic director for 17 years. During that time, he helped guide the school through major changes in its athletic programs. Birmingham-Southern moved from the NAIA to Division I before eventually returning to Division III.
In 2016, Dean left the athletics director position. He then became the college’s senior vice president for advancement. He resigned from that role in 2017 for health reasons.
A Familiar Voice on SEC Basketball
Dean also built a prominent career in college basketball broadcasting. His television career began after he filled in for Dick Vitale during an ESPN broadcast of an Alabama-Georgia game in 1988.
That opportunity eventually led to a role with Jefferson Pilot Sports. Dean became a familiar voice during SEC basketball broadcasts over the following years.
He later worked with Raycom Sports and Fox Sports. In 2014, he joined the SEC Network. Dean often called games alongside longtime broadcast partner Tim Brando.
His broadcasting career also included radio work. For many years, he served as a color analyst for Auburn basketball alongside Jim Fyffe.
Dean’s connection to SEC basketball was also a family tradition. His father, Joe Dean Sr., was a legendary broadcaster who became widely known as the “Voice of SEC Basketball.”
Birmingham Remembers Joe Dean Jr.
Dean’s death was announced by Brando, who said the longtime broadcaster had experienced health problems for several years. Dean had also recently suffered a stroke.
Several figures from the SEC and Alabama sports community remembered Dean following his death. Former Auburn athletics director David Housel described him as a gift to the SEC and beyond. Former Auburn coach Bruce Pearl also recognized Dean’s contributions to the conference.
Dean also served his community outside of sports. He was involved with the Birmingham Bowl and previously served as president of the Kiwanis Club of Birmingham. He was also a member of the NCAA Men’s Basketball Rules Committee from 2004 to 2007.
A Celebration of Life for Dean will take place Monday, August 24, at 11 a.m. at Asbury United Methodist Church at 6690 Cahaba Valley Road in Birmingham. A reception and lunch will follow the service.
The Dean family has requested donations to Southwest Mississippi Community College in honor of the Dixie/String Music Basketball Camp in place of flowers.
Dean is survived by his wife, Ellen, and his children, Scott and Leslie. His career left a lasting mark on Birmingham-Southern, SEC basketball, and the wider college sports community.
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