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Hall of Fame Georgetown head basketball coach dies at 78
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Legendary Georgetown head basketball coach John Thompson Jr. has died at 78, according to multiple reports.
Thompson was the head coach at Georgetown from 1972-99, the only college he coached at during his career. He developed the Hoyas into one of the most prominent college basketball programs in the country during his tenure. He is known for the recruitment and development of some of the most recognizable names in NBA history, including Patrick Ewing, Allen Iverson, Dikembe Mutombo and Alonza Mourning.
During his career at Georgetown, Thompson compiled a 596-239 record and led the Hoyas to three Final Four appearances in the 1980s. He became the first Black head coach in college basketball to win a national championship, as Georgetown claimed the 1984 title.
Georgetown made appearances in 20 NCAA Tournaments and four NIT appearances under Thompson. The Hoyas missed the postseason just twice during that near 30-year span — which were his first two seasons with the program.
Thompson was a three-time Big East Coach of the Year, was the head coach of the 1988 United States Olympic Team (bronze medal) and was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame as a coach.
Dustin grew up in the heart of Big Ten country and has been in sports media since 2010. He has been covering Big Ten football since 2014. You can follow him on Twitter: @SchutteCFB