JACKSON, Miss. – The Jackson State Division of Athletics is saddened to learn about the passing of former Jackson State head men's basketball coach and athletic director, Mr. Paul Covington.

"Coach Covington was a trailblazer and helped set the foundation for the JSU men's basketball program and the athletic department," said JSU Vice President and Director of Athletics Ashley Robinson. "Our thoughts and prayers are with the Covington family in this difficult time." 
Covington was born in Richmond, Kentucky, and played his college athletics at Jackson State College from 1952-1956. He lettered in basketball four times, once in tennis and twice in baseball for the Tigers. Covington was the basketball team's captain from '54-'56 and was named first team All Mid-Western Conference in basketball in 1955 and 1956.
 
Covington's coaching career began in 1958 for Higgins High School. He led Higgins to conference championships in '59, '61, and '62 and was the conference Coach of the Year in '61.
 
Covington led Coahoma Junior College to the Mississippi JUCO Championship in '64 and was the JUCO Coach of the Year. He moved to Jackson State as an assistant in '64 and later took over as head coach in '67. Covington took the Tigers to six SWAC Championships and was named the SWAC Coach of the Year five times.
 
He was the Assistant Athletic Director at JSU from 1986-1995 and the JSU Athletic Director from 1995-1999.
 
He is a member of the SWAC Hall of Fame, the Jackson State Athletic Hall of Fame and was inducted into the Mississippi Sports Hall of Fame in 2008.