Hall of Fame basketball coach Lou Carnesecca, who coached for 24 seasons at St. John's University, died Saturday at the age of 99 surrounded by his family, the university announced.
Carnesecca, known as “Louie,” was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 1992. said In a statement. The head coach led St. John's to 24 championships in 24 seasons and reached the postseason every year. His teams appeared in the NCAA Tournament 18 times and the National Invitational Tournament six times. Carnesecca coached more than 40 NBA draft picks during his career.
“The St. John's community is mourning the loss of Hall of Fame coach and St. John's legend Lou Carnesecca, who has passed away peacefully at the age of 99,” the school's athletic department, St. John's Red Storm said. said On Instagram.
NEW YORK, NY – MARCH 21: Former St. John's Reds attend a press conference naming Rick Pitino as new head coach on March 21, 2023 at Madison Square Garden in New York City. Storm head basketball coach Lou Carnesecca. Carnesecca coached the Red Storm from 1965 to 1970 and from 1973 to 1992. He was elected to the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 1992. (Photo courtesy of Porter BInks)
George Johnson, a center at St. John's University from 1974 to 1978 and a first-round pick in the 1978 NBA draft, said in a memorial video posted by the school, “He was just like us on the court and on the sideline. I played as hard as I could,” he said.
“Coach, if it wasn't for you, I wouldn't be where I am today, and I wouldn't be where I am today,” said Bill Wennington, a first-round draft pick in 1985. (Related: Joe Wolf, a coach who played for seven NBA teams, dies suddenly at age 59)
During his career, he compiled a record of 526 wins and 200 losses. He won at least 18 games in 20 games as head coach. The native New Yorker and St. John's alumna led the team to two BIG EAST titles in 1983 and 1986, according to the university.
Carnesecca was named National Coach of the Year twice during his career, won Metropolitan Coach of the Year six times and Big East Coach of the Year three times.
NEW YORK, NY – OCTOBER 21: Former St. John's Red Storm head coach Lou Carnesecca attends the Rutgers Scarlet Knights and St. -Attend an exhibition game for John's Red Storm. city. (Photo by Porter Binks/Getty Images)
After graduating in 1950, he coached at St. Anne's Academy (now Archbishop Molloy) in Manhattan until 1958, then at St. John's University. In 1970, he left college to coach the New York Nets of the American Basketball Association, leading the team to the playoffs in three seasons and reaching the league championship final in 1972.
Carnesecca would have turned 100 years old on January 5th. In addition to his large family, he leaves behind his wife of 73 years, Mary, daughter Enes, son-in-law Gerard (Jerry), and granddaughter Reba.
