DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. – Bethune-Cookman University Athletics has the learned of the passing of Morris Small, a former men's basketball assistant coach and prominent member of the Daytona Beach basketball community. He was 71.

Small served as an assistant under Maurice "Tony" Sheals and Horace Broadnax from 1993-1997, helping develop players such as Latroy Strong and Freddie Cole, both of whom left Bethune-Cookman as career 1,000 point scorers.

"Coach Small made a huge impact on a lot of us that played at Bethune-Cookman while he was an assistant," Cole said. "His famous line "TAKE CARE OF MY DETAILS" is still being used this very day! He was a one of a kind gentle giant and will never be forgotten."

Sheals described Small as "one of God's wonderful creations."

"A man of high character, valor, and integrity!" Sheals said. "He was a loyal friend and he is going to be missed."

Broadnax echoed Sheals' sentiments.

"He was a good friend outside of basketball as well," Broadnax said. "Definitely was an asset to the program. There were those days he'd talk me off the cliff, kept me laughing and smiling and making sure the next days would be good ones."

Before and after Bethune-Cookman, Small served in the Volusia County School system for over 40 years and was a volunteer coach with many area high school teams.

His 1991 Father Lopez High School boys team won a district championship.  Another career highlight was leading the Daytona Beach Housing Authority basketball team to a National Championship in 1992.

A 1974 Bethune-Cookman graduate and member of Omega Psi Phi fraternity, Small leaves behind his sons, Bernard Small, Wayne Small Sr. (Shelly), Kirkland Small (Latoya), former spouse Stephanie Small, grandchildren Leon Brown, Kasiah Small (Shakeem Dobson), Sakiah Small, Kierra Small, Raven Small, Wayne Small Jr., D'asia Small, Rushod Small, Trenton Small, Ezekiel Small, nieces Michele Hanna (Darrell), Lydia Dyett, and a host of great grandchildren, cousins, and friends.

"Two things he loved – basketball and his sons," Broadnax said.

A viewing will be held on Friday, July 19 at RJ Gainous Funeral Home, 804 Dr. Mary McLeod Bethune Blvd, Daytona Beach, from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. The Memorial Service will be on Saturday, July 20 at Shiloh Baptist Church, 540 South Martin Luther King Blvd, Daytona Beach at 10 a.m.