University of New Orleans Athletics mourns loss of Bob Hines, first baseball coach in program history

The New Orleans Privateers athletic department is saddened to pass along that the school’s first baseball head coach, Bob Hines passed away recently. He was 87 years old.

Bob was born in Prattville, Alabama in 1935 and was an active member of the United Methodist Church. He was also a veteran of the U.S. Navy. He also earned Masters degrees from Murray State (Health and Physical Education) and West Florida (Administration Management).

Coach Hines was hired as the first baseball coach at UNO and guided the team through their first two seasons in 1970 and 1971. He won his first game as head coach when the Privateers defeated Southeastern 7-6 on Mar. 13, 1970. Coach Hines also guided the Privateers to wins over current Div. I programs, Southern Miss, Tulane, ULM, Murray State and Northern Illinois in his time in the dugout.

“Bob was a very energetic and professional person,” said former Privateers head coach and athletic director, Ron Maestri, who was Hines’ successor in the dugout. “My sympathy goes out to the family. He came back a few years ago and we were able to recognize him at a ball game and he was just a real gentleman.”

After his days coaching at New Orleans (then LSUNO), Bob became a principal. He served in that role at several different schools up until he retired as Assistant Principal at Milton High School.

Bob and his wife, Betty Rowe Hines were married for 59 years before her passing in 2015. He is survived by his sons, Rob II, Reid and Richard, seven grandchildren, two great grandchildren, his brother, Arby and loving friends and family.