Lou Carnesecca dead at 99: Tributes pour in for beloved college basketball Hall of Famer and NBA coach

Legendary St John’s coach and basketball Hall of Famer Lou Carnesecca has died just days before his 100th birthday, according to multiple reports.

The two-time Coach of the Year, who was responsible for over 700 games at St John’s and now has the arena named after him, would have turned 100 on January 5.

News of his death was announced on social media by longtime reporter Peter Vecsey, and tributes quickly poured in for one of the most legendary names in sport.

Born in 1925, Carnesecca coached the St John’s basketball program to 526 wins and 200 losses over 27 seasons on the sidelines.

‘Looie’, as he was popularly known, reached the postseason in every season he was in charge and he guided the Red Storm to the Final Four in 1985.

In 1992, he was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame just months before his retirement, and a year later he also entered the New York City Basketball Hall of Fame.

Lou Carnesecca sits in the arena named after him to watch a game back last October

Carnesecca was a legendary St John’s coach famous for his bold sweaters

Shortly before his retirement, he said: ‘It will be very difficult to put the ball down, but the time has come.

‘There are actually two reasons. I have half my marbles and I still have a wonderful taste in my mouth about basketball. It’s a difficult decision, but it’s all mine.’

In the 70s, he also pursued the professional game, coaching the then-New York Nets from 1970 to 1973, finishing with a 252-114 record.

Known for his colorful jerseys, Carnesecca had the historic Alumni Hall named after him in 2004 when it was renamed the ‘Carnesecca Arena’.

Recently, he was seen at the unveiling of Rick Pitino as St John’s coach.

On social media, fans paid tribute to the legendary coach with memories of his time at St John’s and beyond.

Mets announcer Howie Rose wrote: ‘In early 1973, as a nervous Queens College freshman, I interviewed Lou after a Nets game for the QC radio station.

Carnesecca is cheered by his players after winning the Big East Tournament back in 1983

Carnesecca attended the press conference that unveiled new St John’s coach Rick Pitino last year

The iconic coach is interviewed by Billy Packer (1940-2023) after a game against UConn in 1990

‘I referred to Nets guard George Bruns as George Burns. Looie couldn’t have been nicer and calmed my nerves with a reassuring smile. What a dear, sweet man. TEAR.’

Adding another anecdote, he tweeted: ‘My friend Dave lost both his parents within a year in the early 1970s. He went to St. John’s and became the basketball team’s manager.

‘Lou essentially adopted Dave and was a surrogate father to him. Lou Carnesecca was a special man beyond the BB pitch.’

Ed Cooley, head coach of the rival Georgetown Hoyas, wrote: ‘Sending condolences from our Hoya family to the nearest and dearest to coach Lou Carnesecca and St. John’s Basketball. One of the pioneers behind the BIG EAST Conference – he is synonymous with this great league and will be truly missed by everyone in the basketball world.’