Hall of Fame basketball coach Lou Carnesecca, who spent 24 seasons coaching St. John’s University, died surrounded by family Saturday at age 99, the university announced.
Carnesecca, known as “Looie,” was inducted to the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 1992, the university said in a statement. The head coach led St. John’s to 24 winning campaigns during his 24 seasons, advancing to the postseason each year. His team appeared 18 times in the NCAA Tournament and six times in the National Invitation Tournament. Carnesecca coached over 40 NBA Draft picks during his years.
“The St. John’s community mourns the loss of Hall of Fame coach and St. John’s legend, Lou Carnesecca. Coach Carnesecca passed away peacefully at the age of 99,” St. John’s Red Storm, the school’s athletic’s department, said on Instagram.
NEW YORK, NY – MARCH 21: Former St. Johns Red Storm head basketball coach Lou Carnesecca at the press conference naming Rick Pitino as the new head coach, at Madison Square Garden on March 21, 2023 in New York City. Carnesecca coached the Red Storm from 1965-70 and again from 1973-1992. He was elected to the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 1992. (Photo by Porter BInks )
“He played as hard as we did on the court, on the sidelines,” George Johnson, a St. John’s center from 1974 to 1978, and first round NBA Draft pick in 1978, said in a memorial video posted by the school.
“Coach, I wouldn’t be who I am or where I am today if it weren’t for you,” said Bill Wennington, a 1985 first round draft pick. (RELATED: Joe Wolf, Coach Who Played For Seven NBA Teams Dies Unexpectedly At Age 59)
Throughout his career, he registered a 526-200 mark. He won 20 games, at a minimum, 18 times during his years as head coach. The native New Yorker and St. John’s alum led the team to two BIG EAST titles in 1983 and 1986, the university said.
Carnesecca was named the National Coach of the Year twice during his career in addition to Metropolitan Coach of the Year six times and BIG EAST Coach of the Year three times.
NEW YORK, NY – OCTOBER 21: St. Johns Red Storm former head coach Lou Carnesecca takes in an exhibition game between the Rutgers Scarlet Knights and the St. Johns Red Storm at Carnesecca Arena on October 21, 2023 in the Queens borough of New York City. (Photo by Porter Binks/Getty Images)
Following his graduation in 1950, he coached at St. Ann’s Academy in Manhattan (now Archbishop Molloy) until 1958 where he went on to coach St. John’s. In 1970 he departed the university to coach the New York Nets, of the American Basketball Association, where he led them to the playoffs during his three seasons with the team before reaching the finals of the league championship in 1972.
Carnesecca would have turned 100 on Jan. 5. He is survived by his wife Mary, of 73 years, his daughter Enes, son-in-law Gerard (Jerry) and granddaughter Leva, in addition to his extended family.
This article was originally published at dailycaller.com
