Denny Crum, the Hall of Fame college basketball coach who led Louisville to a pair of national championships in the 1980s, died Tuesday at the age of 86.
Crum played college basketball under John Wooden at UCLA in the late 1950s, then joined the Bruins’ staff as an assistant under Wooden, helping the program to three national titles during his time there. Louisville hired the California native as its head coach in 1971, and the program rose to national prominence under his watch.
Crum led the Cardinals to the Final Four six times — winning national titles in 1980 and ’86 — and made the NCAA tournament 23 times in his 30 seasons.
THE MAN WHO CAME TO STAY | Legendary Louisville basketball coach Denny Crum passed away this morning at his home at age 86. Incredibly sad day for Louisville, and many of us personally. But we’re glad he has found rest https://t.co/47xai90rEk pic.twitter.com/57xULVpQGW
— Eric Crawford (@ericcrawford) May 9, 2023
Denny Crum was truly a Hall of Famer. He was kind, had a great sense of humor but make no mistake about it, he was a competitor who wanted to win every game. My heart goes out to Susan and his family and friends. We lost another legend in our state today. Rest in peace, my friend pic.twitter.com/Ncmib5EZQa
— John Calipari (@UKCoachCalipari) May 9, 2023