Legendary Louisville basketball coach Denny Crum passed away Tuesday at 86

Louisville Hall of Fame coach Denny Crum has passed away at the age of 86, Louisville announced Tuesday afternoon.

The legendary coach won two national titles at Louisville and reached the Final 4 six times. He was twice named the national coach of the Year by Sporting News.

Crum led Louisville to the NCAA Tournament 23 times. His teams recorded 20 or more victories in 21 of his 30 seasons.

Crum is one of only 14 coaches to win two or more national titles, doing since 1980 and 1986 at Louisville. He was inducted into the Basketball Hall of Fame in 1994.

Crum’s 23 NCAA Tournament appearances are the 10th-most by a coach all-time. He finished his career with a 675-295 recording, including a 42-22 mark in the NCAA Tournament.

The Cardinals finished at least tied for the Metro Conference regular season title 12 times under Crum.

Crum retired from coaching following the 2000-2001 season, but still remained employed at Louisville. He served as a special assistant to the UofL president for several years. The court at the KFC Yum! Center, where Louisville plays basketball, is named in his honor.

There was also recently a new residence hall on the Louisville campus named in Crum’s honor. Men’s and women’s basketball student-athletes, as well as those who play women’s lacrosse, live at Denny Crum Hall.

Kenny Payne appreciative of Denny Crum

Long before Kenny Payne became the head coach at Louisville, Payne played for the Cardinals under Denny Crum.

Payne spoke last year at ACC Media Days about playing under Crum, what it was like and how he wants to continue to honor him.

“I played for a guy who is a Hall of Fame coach, but more importantly [is] a Hall of Fame person… Who gave so much to Louisville. Two national titles. So many Final Fours,” Payne said.

“To be a part of his program, to be a disciple of his, to give back to the players, which was very important for me, coming back to the school, was that all those guys, regardless of who you played for, you’re a part of this. You’re family. I can’t sit in that seat and allow people to forget who you are, what you’ve done. … So, it’s been a lot of goodwill. Bringing the former players and honoring Denny, and the dorm that we have now is unbelievable and it’s a great example of what excellence is, is what he was as a coach.”