The BBN Salutes Joe B. Hall

It’s a somber around the Big Blue Nation as Kentucky fans mourn the passing of Joe B. Hall.

Whether watching the Wildcats at Rupp or cutting up with his former rival on the radio, the National Championship winning head coach was never far from his Old Kentucky Home. Even though there is sadness in his death, memories of his life are enriching. It’s impossible not to smile when you see a young Freddie Maggard at Coach Hall’s basketball camp.

Rest in sweet peace Coach. pic.twitter.com/WBpg4lhf8U

— Freddie Maggard (@FredMaggard606) January 15, 2022

Freddie is one of the hundreds of thousands of Wildcat faithful that took to social media to share their memories of the Coach that kept Rupp’s legacy alive and ensured that Kentucky great’s basketball tradition would not end with Adolph Rupp.

Roger Harden was the point guard for Coach Hall’s last Final Four team in 1984.

BBN, nobody gave their heart & soul to UKBB like Coach Hall. He loved the BBN and was a proud Kentuckian. An honor to play for him and will miss my life long friend. He was the only friend I ever needed. Thank you Coach & by profession in Christ rest til we meet again💙

— Roger Harden (@HardenRoger) January 15, 2022

Oscar Combs‘ rise through the media coincided with Hall’s. The two Kentuckians made basketball mean more across the Commonwealth.

Personally, his friendship over the past 50+ years was always there from the 1960s to this day. Joe B. loved being around people and talking anything from fishing to history, but most of all, he loved seeing Kentuckians proud of UK basketball. Love you Joe B. Gonna miss you. ❤️ pic.twitter.com/UKdqpNuqKD

— Oscar Combs (@wildcatnews) January 15, 2022

Just want to remind Joe B’s friends and fans with this retweet on how sports & rivalries don’t always have to end in a negative way. What a wonderful friendship these 2 Kentucky legends developed after their coaching days. I loved being in the company of Joe & Denny for lunch. https://t.co/QqWAerUdvO

— Oscar Combs (@wildcatnews) January 15, 2022

Each of those individuals left an impression on KSR’s Matt Jones.

When I started KSR there two men in BBN who the first time they talked to me about UK sports, I felt like I was living a dream. One was @wildcatnews and the other was Joe B

He was a great friend, with the kindest of hearts. He made everyone feel special. There is no greater gift pic.twitter.com/aEJ4Zf8xhU

— Matt Jones (@KySportsRadio) January 15, 2022

Well before my time, I was introduced to Coach Hall by the Beasman, a character Terry Meiners created on 840 WHAS. The spoof of Joe B. was silly, yet always entertaining.

God Bless my buddy Joe B Hall, always a devoted Kentuckian with unending love for his family, his Kentucky Wildcats, and his every chance to make others laugh. RIP, Coach Hall. ❤️ pic.twitter.com/NSI880D7zQ

— Terry Meiners (@terrymeiners) January 15, 2022

Hall’s success on the court became over shadowed by his kindness once his career concluded. The Cynthiana native was an exceptional ambassador for the state. He did not need to make a grand gesture to prove a point. It’s the little things that revealed his true character.

Joe B. Hall just sat down and ate lunch with me because I had a Cats shirt on and was sitting by myself #GOAT

— brÿce (@bryce_stevenson) August 7, 2015

Not every Joe B. Hall story has a touching sentiment. Some are just downright funny, like the time a KGB agent drank all of the vodka out of his house and danced the night away.

I still laugh about Joe B. Hall’s fantastic story about drinking — vodka, of course — with a KGB agent (and the Soviet national team coach) at his house. “He didn’t like me very much at first, I don’t think.” Joe was always so fun to talk to and loved sharing memories. RIP.

— Jeff Greer (@jeffgreer) January 15, 2022

Joe B. Hall lived a full life. Before he rests in peace, today is a grand opportunity to send him off with the perfect tribute, a win over Tennessee.

More Tributes to Joe B. Hall

Coach Joe B. Hall was not only a remarkable basketball legend, he was also a kind, generous leader who made an impact on his players and everyone who knew him. Britainy and I extend our deepest sympathies to Coach Hall’s family as they mourn this heartbreaking loss. ^AB

— Governor Andy Beshear (@GovAndyBeshear) January 15, 2022

A great read here about one of the nicest guys from the coaching profession I ever met .Read ⁦@JerryTipton⁩ about the intense pressure Joe B Hall faced in replacing Coach Rupp . It is so sad to hear about the passing of JOE B HALL . May Coach RIP https://t.co/Dvuf2jAYqD pic.twitter.com/gJ7Sh18mF3

— Dick Vitale (@DickieV) January 15, 2022

Rest Easy Coach Hall !! You are Giant !! And always appreciated your advice!! my condolences to all of his Family.

— Orlando Antigua (@CoachOantigua) January 15, 2022

.⁦@KentuckyMBB⁩ Coach Hall, you were a great coach and a gentleman. You will be missed. 🙏🏻🏀 pic.twitter.com/ugxceuQFYo

— Fran Fraschilla (@franfraschilla) January 15, 2022

Joe B. Hall was a legend to so many. The teams @KentuckyMBB with Jack Givens, Rick Robey, etc. were a huge part of our following Basketball. The legacy he built was enhanced by the way he continued to care for Kentucky Basketball. The way @UKCoachCalipari embraced him was special

— Tom Crean (@TomCrean) January 15, 2022

To me, one of the most remarkable aspects of Joe B Hall’s life was his ‘second act’ as essentially the state of Kentucky’s grandfather. I wrote about that & his pride in his native Harrison County to conclude my ‘County Columns’ series https://t.co/qRE6m0mhC4

— Mark Story (@markcstory) January 15, 2022

Heartbroken that Joe B. Hall is gone.
He was a Kentucky treasure and a gift to all of us who were lucky enough to know him. I have so many wonderful memories of him.
He always had a big smile and hug for me.
The last text he sent to me said, “Still need that hug.” pic.twitter.com/VxIg91BxF4

— Jennifer Palumbo (@JenNimePalumbo) January 15, 2022

I always loved seeing Coach Hall over there on the sidelines watching us practice. It was such a blessing being able to shake his hand and just say hello. He was so nice to us. RIP Coach! pic.twitter.com/dYGaQRcMoE

— Twany Beckham (@agentTwany) January 15, 2022

The Legend. Joe Beasman Hall. My inspiration for this Twitter existence has passed on to the Angels 🕊️

Long Live Coach Joe B. Hall pic.twitter.com/vL5pLaiBak

— 𝐋𝐢𝐥 𝐉𝐨𝐞 𝐁. 𝐇𝐚𝐥𝐥 (@LilJoeBHall) January 15, 2022

Josh @MrJoshHopkins and I got to spend some time with Coach Hall a couple of weeks ago. So happy we did. What a coach. What a man. What a life.

The pride of Cynthiana, Kentucky. Rest In Peace, Coach… pic.twitter.com/jI5Uhh47RG

— Rex Chapman🏇🏼 (@RexChapman) January 15, 2022

Will never forget Coach Hall, who at his advanced age struggled to stand and walk, standing for 8+ minutes straight at my father’s memorial service while sharing countless memories. He had the room rolling in laughter as displayed by @tbearup & @RexChapman. pic.twitter.com/yi8n82ikLw

— Ben Bearup (@TheAviationBeat) January 15, 2022