RIP Denny Crum

Oct 17, 2017
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Following his 1986 title, most considered him the best coach in college basketball. His run from 1980 through 1986 included 4 Final Fours and two titles. However, his career fizzled after 1986. He only made it back to the Elite 8 once and missed the tournament in 1987, 1991, 1998, and 2001.

Still a helluva coach. RIP Denny.
 

calismyhero

All-Conference
Jan 16, 2010
3,796
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Class guy who will be missed. It was almost magical to watch him and Joe B team up like they did. He was an icon in the game and the game is better for having him in it. He was one of first to use bigger guards and full court press. In ways he was ahead of his time. Great fundamental teacher of the game. I didn’t like his Louisville teams but looking back, they played hard, played tough defense and could jump out of the gym. Much respect to all of the Louisville old schoolers today. Just watching him you could see how Al Maguire nicknamed him “Cool Hand Luke”. Condolences to his wife and family. Coach lived a great life and I’m happy he is baiting a line with Joe B today. I can imagine what they are talking about. 🙏
 

TheBlueMist

All-American
Feb 5, 2004
2,115
5,128
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RIP Coach Crum. Great coach and class act guy. The grace he showed in retirement is a model for all old warriors.
 
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Estil

Senior
Mar 3, 2011
1,238
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You know when I was at UK in the early 2000s there was a man named David McCracken who often came to the "free speech area" near then Student Center (also RIP to both) who was head pastor of the Lafayette Church of the Nazarene at the time and I kid you not he looked just like Denny Crum!
 
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CaptainBoogerBuns

All-American
Aug 27, 2022
5,215
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You know when I was at UK in the early 2000s there was a man named David McCracken who often came to the "free speech area" near then Student Center (also RIP to both) who was head pastor of the Lafayette Church of the Nazarene at the time and I kid you not he looked just like Denny Crum!
That sounds like Jed Smock in the late 1980s early 90s
 
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ORCAT

Heisman
Jan 6, 2003
24,708
12,067
113
Always respected Denny Crum and this is very sad to hear but we all knew it was coming with his recent health issues. RIP, Coach Crum.
 

BradleyCrawford08_rivals

All-Conference
Jan 31, 2020
1,349
2,693
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RIP to a legendary coach in Denny Crum. Took UofL to incredible heights in college basketball and was an all around class act. Always heard great things about how much of a nice guy he was from my Dad and his buddies who met him in person.
 
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sk73

All-Conference
Feb 16, 2013
3,212
3,276
113
Denny Crum was an avid fly fisherman as well as being a fantastic coach. He was an easy man to like. Best coach in Louisville history.
 
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tallkat70

All-Conference
Aug 1, 2002
3,527
3,579
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As a UK fan, I didn't care for him in his prime, but has already been said he had great, hard nosed teams and he was one of the best I ever saw at end of game situations. If the 3- point shot hadn't come along he probably would have had more success but he just refused to adapt his style of play to embrace it.
 

Fat-so

All-Conference
Sep 22, 2019
1,462
1,777
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Yeah, I read an article that he went to 6 final fours in a 15 year stretch from 71 to 86 or so. I knew about the 2 titles but didn't know the final 4 count was so high.
Yeah **** yeah that man had it rolling at one time. He was Louisville basketball. It's almost like Cal. The first half of Crums tenure he was on fire and then the 2nd half of it he didn't embrace the 3 point shot and the game passed him by. He was a hell of a recruiter as well in the earlier years. Then like a lot of coaches do he embraced success and quit working as hard. The recruiting dropped off in a big way.
 
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