Lowe played in the Continental Basketball Association for the Tampa Bay / Rapid City Thrillers and Albany Patroons from 1984 to 1989.

The 2000–01 NBA season became Lowe's second stint as a head coach when he assumed the role for the Vancouver Grizzlies.

To become eligible for employment as an NCAA head coach, he completed the final nine hours of his business administration degree online via St. Paul's College in Lawrenceville, Virginia.

[3] On May 6, 2006, Lowe was named the new head basketball coach of North Carolina State University, replacing Herb Sendek.

In spite of the early success, Lowe failed to lead NC State to the NCAA tournament, and his teams only made two appearances in the NIT.

Lowe resigned as head coach of NC State, accepting a buyout of the last two years of his contract, on March 15, 2011.

He had 20 groomsmen including Lorenzo Charles, Thurl Bailey, Dereck Whittenburg, Cozell McQueen and Clyde Austin.