Albert Hartwell Jr. "Coach" was born to Albert Hartwell Sr. and Sarah Nell Jones Hartwell in Simsboro, Louisiana.

He attended Grambling State University and played basketball at Grambling under the legendary Tigers Head Coach Fred Hobdy. After graduating from Grambling State University he played for the NBA on the New York Knicks and the
New Orleans Jazz Teams. Afterward he went on to coach High School Basketball at various schools. Coach Hartwell had a very successful career in coaching High School Basketball.

Coach Hartwell's greatest honor was to have impact on the lives of the multiple generations of impressionable youth he touched.

He leaves to cherish his memories a loving daughter, Ashley Hartwell; two granddaughters, Autumn and Amiyah Stevens and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.

He was preceded in death by his son, Kenneth Hartwell.