ESPN shares touching story about Joe B. Hall and Leonard Hamilton

As the college basketball world mourns the passing of legendary Kentucky coach Joe B. Hall, ESPN has focused its Saturday coverage on his impact. By coincidence, or perhaps fate, the lineup of games has served as a nod to Hall’s lasting impact on the game.

During the opening game of ESPN’s coverage, Kentucky took down Tennessee inside Rupp Arena after a video tribute and recognition of Hall’s legacy. During the second half of the blowout win, color commentator Jay Bilas turned his attention away from the court and told a story about life.

As it turns out, a 26-year old Leonard Hamilton was ready to quit his coaching career before a surprise phone call from Hall reignited the fire. Prior to that call, Hamilton worked as an assistant at Austin Peay and expressed his desire to take over head coaching duties upon the resignation of the former head coach. When the soon-to-be outgoing athletic director chose not to back a Black head coach, he decided to leave and take a day job with Dow Chemical in North Carolina.

After leaving Austin Peay, he started work on Monday. But then Hall called Hamilton and expressed his desire to hire the young coach at Kentucky. Hamilton jumped on a plane to Lexington without telling anyone at Dow Chemical and interviewed the following day. By Thursday, he was back in coaching.

As Martin Luther King Jr. Day approaches, it is important to focus on those who have promoted and helped create racial equality in sports. Joe B. Hall did so not only by recruiting Black players, but by hiring the first Black assistant coach in school history, Leonard Hamilton.

Hamilton, whose Florida State squad played in the second game of ESPN’s coverage, gives credit for his head coaching career to Hall.

John Calipari honors Joe B. Hall

Former Kentucky basketball head coach Joe B. Hall passed away on Saturday morning. Hall previously spent 13 years as Kentucky’s head coach, winning one national championship. Following the unfortunate news of Hall’s passing, current Kentucky head coach John Calipari shared a heartfelt message on his Twitter account.

“Coach Joe B. Hall – my friend, my mentor, and an icon in our state in our profession – passed away this morning,” Calipari started. Joe B. Hall took over a program and carried on the winning tradition and legacy of Kentucky basketball.

“Coach Hall made it the job it is today with his hard work, his ingenuity and his great basketball coaching.”

Calipari said that he and Hall saw each other just two days ago, and like always, Hall greeted the Kentucky coach with a smile.

“Coach Hall always met me with a smile, including two days ago when I went to see him and hold his hand,” Calipari said. “He understood everything that was said, and as I prayed for him, he squeezed my hand tight.”

While Calipari and Kentucky now mourn the loss of Hall, he should also be celebrated. Calipari said that as Hall passed, he knew how much the Kentucky community appreciated him.

“Coach Hall is beloved by everyone,” Calipari said, with a picture of Hall in the Kentucky crowd attached. “What makes me happy on this extremely somber day is that before he left this earth, he knew how much all of us appreciated and loved him. I would ask that everyone keep him and his family in your prayers. I love you, Coach.”