Career
He was head coach of the University of New Orleans men"s basketball team, but died before he ever coached a game there due to a heart attack he suffered during a recruiting trip on July 30, 1994. Before his coaching stint at Louisiana Technical, Eagles served as head coach at Cedar Creek High School in Ruston and Simsboro High School in Simsboro, both in Lincoln Parish. Past recipients include Brian Martin (2004) and Shawn Oliverson (2010).
Auburn University presents the Paul Lambert/Tommy Joe Eagles Memorial Trophy for Leadership, the most prestigious award of the men"s basketball program, at the end of each season.
Past recipients include current Assistant Coach at Nebraska Wes Flanigan (1996, 1997) and Daymeon Fishback (2000). Eagles played basketball and graduated in 1967 from Doyline High School in Doyline in south Webster Parish, Louisiana.
He was one of three children of the late Edward P. and Juanita West. Eagles.
