Legendary Hoya coach John Thompson has passed away.
- Thread starter Sjugrad13
- Start date
I had the utmost respect for John Thompson despite the rivalry. I respected him as a coach and for his stand.
He use to get criticized and the whole Hoya Paranoia theme for limiting access to his players and staying at hotels not near his road venues, but these were shots at him because he wouldn’t bend to the way the media wanted him to. Other school, including yours truly, didn’t always stay close to a road venue and also had limits on time players were available to the media.
RIP Coach Thompson.
He use to get criticized and the whole Hoya Paranoia theme for limiting access to his players and staying at hotels not near his road venues, but these were shots at him because he wouldn’t bend to the way the media wanted him to. Other school, including yours truly, didn’t always stay close to a road venue and also had limits on time players were available to the media.
RIP Coach Thompson.
Vacc, imo best sports scribe out there, hits the mark as usual
https://nypost.com/2020/08/31/john-thompson-was-so-much-more-than-a-great-basketball-coach/
https://nypost.com/2020/08/31/john-thompson-was-so-much-more-than-a-great-basketball-coach/
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My first memory of John Thompson is as the backup center to Jim Hadnot on an NIT champion Providence team. He was the premier coach in Georgetown history, whereas Louie, as great as he was, would probably agree with many of us old timers that Coach Lapchick set the standard at St. John's. R.I.P.
MarkRedman
Well-known member
[quote="Spocky Ramone" post=397302]He is one of the top 5 reasons why the Big East is Big today[/quote]
The other 4 - Looie, Rollie, Boeheim and Dave Gavitt - along with Thompson, they were the trailblazers of the Big East
The other 4 - Looie, Rollie, Boeheim and Dave Gavitt - along with Thompson, they were the trailblazers of the Big East
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[quote="MarkRedman" post=397323][quote="Spocky Ramone" post=397302]He is one of the top 5 reasons why the Big East is Big today[/quote]
The other 4 - Looie, Rollie, Boeheim and Dave Gavitt - along with Thompson, they were the trailblazers of the Big East[/quote]
3 of them have passed, Lou is in his 90's and Boeheim is still coaching.
The other 4 - Looie, Rollie, Boeheim and Dave Gavitt - along with Thompson, they were the trailblazers of the Big East[/quote]
3 of them have passed, Lou is in his 90's and Boeheim is still coaching.
beast of the east
Active member
[quote="bamafan" post=397326][quote="MarkRedman" post=397323][quote="Spocky Ramone" post=397302]He is one of the top 5 reasons why the Big East is Big today[/quote]
The other 4 - Looie, Rollie, Boeheim and Dave Gavitt - along with Thompson, they were the trailblazers of the Big East[/quote]
3 of them have passed, Lou is in his 90's and Boeheim is still coaching.[/quote]
I don't think Jim O'Brien, or Dr. Tom Davis are remembered as part of that group, but both were very good coaches of those great BC teams. Although not great teams, Raftery was well regarded, and his successor, PJ Carlesimo took the Andrew Gaze team to the NCAA finals. And of coruse, you can't discuss great Big East coaches without mentioning Calhoun.
The other 4 - Looie, Rollie, Boeheim and Dave Gavitt - along with Thompson, they were the trailblazers of the Big East[/quote]
3 of them have passed, Lou is in his 90's and Boeheim is still coaching.[/quote]
I don't think Jim O'Brien, or Dr. Tom Davis are remembered as part of that group, but both were very good coaches of those great BC teams. Although not great teams, Raftery was well regarded, and his successor, PJ Carlesimo took the Andrew Gaze team to the NCAA finals. And of coruse, you can't discuss great Big East coaches without mentioning Calhoun.
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[quote="Beast of the East" post=397327][quote="bamafan" post=397326][quote="MarkRedman" post=397323][quote="Spocky Ramone" post=397302]He is one of the top 5 reasons why the Big East is Big today[/quote]
The other 4 - Looie, Rollie, Boeheim and Dave Gavitt - along with Thompson, they were the trailblazers of the Big East[/quote]
3 of them have passed, Lou is in his 90's and Boeheim is still coaching.[/quote]
I don't think Jim O'Brien, or Dr. Tom Davis are remembered as part of that group, but both were very good coaches of those great BC teams. Although not great teams, Raftery was well regarded, and his successor, PJ Carlesimo took the Andrew Gaze team to the NCAA finals. And of coruse, you can't discuss great Big East coaches without mentioning Calhoun.[/quote]
True, but they're talking about Trailblazers. Calhoun didn't join until 1986. The trail had already been blazed.
The other 4 - Looie, Rollie, Boeheim and Dave Gavitt - along with Thompson, they were the trailblazers of the Big East[/quote]
3 of them have passed, Lou is in his 90's and Boeheim is still coaching.[/quote]
I don't think Jim O'Brien, or Dr. Tom Davis are remembered as part of that group, but both were very good coaches of those great BC teams. Although not great teams, Raftery was well regarded, and his successor, PJ Carlesimo took the Andrew Gaze team to the NCAA finals. And of coruse, you can't discuss great Big East coaches without mentioning Calhoun.[/quote]
True, but they're talking about Trailblazers. Calhoun didn't join until 1986. The trail had already been blazed.
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fan since 65
Well-known member
[quote="SJU85" post=397305]I had the utmost respect for John Thompson despite the rivalry. I respected him as a coach and for his stand.
He use to get criticized and the whole Hoya Paranoia theme for limiting access to his players and staying at hotels not near his road venues, but these were shots at him because he wouldn’t bend to the way the media wanted him to. Other school, including yours truly, didn’t always stay close to a road venue and also had limits on time players were available to the media.
RIP Coach Thompson.[/quote]
Yeah, didn't Coach C start doing that when he saw how that worked for the Hoyas? Funny story regarding Lou's need to have fans not near the road hotel: One year, I was booked at a hotel in Pittsburgh where the team was (courtesy of Dennis Myron). And probably got there via PeoplExpress for $19 or $29. Anyway, we get there and a fire prompted a reclocation of the team (and us) to another hotel. At check-in, Coach sees us and asked Dennis what we were doing there. Dennis quickly told him that was our original hotel. Problem solved. But Coach was also not pleased with the bar off the lobby that was packed on a Friday night and tried to then have Dennis find another hotel. At midnight. For a traveling party of around 30 people. Dennis and Dutch volunteered to stay at the bar as monitors.
He use to get criticized and the whole Hoya Paranoia theme for limiting access to his players and staying at hotels not near his road venues, but these were shots at him because he wouldn’t bend to the way the media wanted him to. Other school, including yours truly, didn’t always stay close to a road venue and also had limits on time players were available to the media.
RIP Coach Thompson.[/quote]
Yeah, didn't Coach C start doing that when he saw how that worked for the Hoyas? Funny story regarding Lou's need to have fans not near the road hotel: One year, I was booked at a hotel in Pittsburgh where the team was (courtesy of Dennis Myron). And probably got there via PeoplExpress for $19 or $29. Anyway, we get there and a fire prompted a reclocation of the team (and us) to another hotel. At check-in, Coach sees us and asked Dennis what we were doing there. Dennis quickly told him that was our original hotel. Problem solved. But Coach was also not pleased with the bar off the lobby that was packed on a Friday night and tried to then have Dennis find another hotel. At midnight. For a traveling party of around 30 people. Dennis and Dutch volunteered to stay at the bar as monitors.
In my view, John Thompson ranks #1 among Big East coaches, and since he was there at the beginning above Calhoun in Big East lore. Probably among those early greats you'd have to put Rollie up there too because of the title, and Boeheim follows closely with his title (much later, thanks to Carmello) but also # of wins. All so important to the inception of the Big East and catapulting it to the top of the heap of men's college BB. Looie fits in there as my # 2 to Thompson, but I am biased.
I agree if we got Memphis State and Nova knocks off Georgetown (like they did in the title game), we are National Champs.
I never hated him or his teams, but really really didn't like some of his players and had grudging respect for him, especially since Looie had tremendous respect for JT.
Rest in Peace, a true legend, John Thompson. May these very difficult times of unrest resolve themselves peacefully like John Thompson would have wanted.
I agree if we got Memphis State and Nova knocks off Georgetown (like they did in the title game), we are National Champs.
I never hated him or his teams, but really really didn't like some of his players and had grudging respect for him, especially since Looie had tremendous respect for JT.
Rest in Peace, a true legend, John Thompson. May these very difficult times of unrest resolve themselves peacefully like John Thompson would have wanted.
[quote="Catman" post=397376]John Thompson was a great coach who literally put Georgetown on the map! His players loved him and had a great respect for him! But at the end of the day I believe like i did when he was coaching that he was a racist![/quote]
The Einstein quote is "What does a fish know of the water in which it swims?" If we are American we are racist. The challenge is to make that distortion of character as benign as possible, both to others and ourselves.
The Einstein quote is "What does a fish know of the water in which it swims?" If we are American we are racist. The challenge is to make that distortion of character as benign as possible, both to others and ourselves.
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beast of the east
Active member
[quote="BrookJersey Redmen" post=397372]In my view, John Thompson ranks #1 among Big East coaches, and since he was there at the beginning above Calhoun in Big East lore. Probably among those early greats you'd have to put Rollie up there too because of the title, and Boeheim follows closely with his title (much later, thanks to Carmello) but also # of wins. All so important to the inception of the Big East and catapulting it to the top of the heap of men's college BB. Looie fits in there as my # 2 to Thompson, but I am biased.
I agree if we got Memphis State and Nova knocks off Georgetown (like they did in the title game), we are National Champs.
I never hated him or his teams, but really really didn't like some of his players and had grudging respect for him, especially since Looie had tremendous respect for JT.
Rest in Peace, a true legend, John Thompson. May these very difficult times of unrest resolve themselves peacefully like John Thompson would have wanted.[/quote]
One of the big reasons that the Big East (old and new) had such astonishing success as a conference mostly of smaller private schools (not entirely true) is the quality of the coaches. The list is long, and I would say that all-time the Big East had some of the greatest coaches of all time including Wright, Calhoun, Boeheim, Pitino, Carnesecca, Thompson, and many others that are either near that level, should be included, or moved on to bigger opportunities while they made a name in the Big East.
I agree if we got Memphis State and Nova knocks off Georgetown (like they did in the title game), we are National Champs.
I never hated him or his teams, but really really didn't like some of his players and had grudging respect for him, especially since Looie had tremendous respect for JT.
Rest in Peace, a true legend, John Thompson. May these very difficult times of unrest resolve themselves peacefully like John Thompson would have wanted.[/quote]
One of the big reasons that the Big East (old and new) had such astonishing success as a conference mostly of smaller private schools (not entirely true) is the quality of the coaches. The list is long, and I would say that all-time the Big East had some of the greatest coaches of all time including Wright, Calhoun, Boeheim, Pitino, Carnesecca, Thompson, and many others that are either near that level, should be included, or moved on to bigger opportunities while they made a name in the Big East.
[quote="Paul Massell" post=397383]certainly the early Big East like all of college basketball, coaches had more character. And I don't mean moral character. Half the fun almost was watching coaches like LC and Rollie. In hindsight Wright will probably be the best of the best IMHO.[/quote]
I agree with you regarding Wright. He seems to have the best combo of recruiting acumen along with in game coaching excellence.
But this does bring up an interesting point. Where does everyone rank the "original" Big East coaches? For the sake of argument, Pitino, Calhoun, Wright and PJ don't qualify.
Break it down by recruiting ability and in game coaching.
My list:
#4 Rollie M. In my eyes, slightly above average recruiter. In game coaching...definitely above average.
#3 Louie C. Famed for the subway token recruiting strategy. Very slow to adapt to recruiting being a national endeavor. In game, many questionable decisions (Bob Kelly anyone?). Never adapted to the need for a zone defense.
#2 Jimmy B To attract recruits to the hinterland that is Syracuse, NY in the middle of winter says something. He did very well attracting recuits from all over, extending as far as the west coast and internationally. In game, I also found him to be average...counting on his big stars to make one on one plays. Pearl, Billy Owens, Derrick Coleman, Seikaly.....etc. The list goes on. On defense, he is the anti Lou. He parked his teams in the 2-3 zone (still does), and almost never plays man to man.
#1 Big John T In my mind, the best....and its not even close. There is a myth that he only recruited big guys well. Sleepy Floyd, Reggie Williams, and Allen Iverson would prove otherwise. We all know about the big guys....no need to go through the names. In game, he was a superb strategist with the ability to adapt and change on the fly. He box and one'd Mullin, and zoned Pearl. And then adjusted some more after those guys showed their incredible skills and figured out what was being thrown at them.
These are just my thoughts. What say you?
I agree with you regarding Wright. He seems to have the best combo of recruiting acumen along with in game coaching excellence.
But this does bring up an interesting point. Where does everyone rank the "original" Big East coaches? For the sake of argument, Pitino, Calhoun, Wright and PJ don't qualify.
Break it down by recruiting ability and in game coaching.
My list:
#4 Rollie M. In my eyes, slightly above average recruiter. In game coaching...definitely above average.
#3 Louie C. Famed for the subway token recruiting strategy. Very slow to adapt to recruiting being a national endeavor. In game, many questionable decisions (Bob Kelly anyone?). Never adapted to the need for a zone defense.
#2 Jimmy B To attract recruits to the hinterland that is Syracuse, NY in the middle of winter says something. He did very well attracting recuits from all over, extending as far as the west coast and internationally. In game, I also found him to be average...counting on his big stars to make one on one plays. Pearl, Billy Owens, Derrick Coleman, Seikaly.....etc. The list goes on. On defense, he is the anti Lou. He parked his teams in the 2-3 zone (still does), and almost never plays man to man.
#1 Big John T In my mind, the best....and its not even close. There is a myth that he only recruited big guys well. Sleepy Floyd, Reggie Williams, and Allen Iverson would prove otherwise. We all know about the big guys....no need to go through the names. In game, he was a superb strategist with the ability to adapt and change on the fly. He box and one'd Mullin, and zoned Pearl. And then adjusted some more after those guys showed their incredible skills and figured out what was being thrown at them.
These are just my thoughts. What say you?
pretty accurate list porgy. I was thinking of a list like the coaches you were worried would have a heart attack or aneurysm on the sidelines. Rollie, Bobby Knight, Majerus, Huggins (he's way too calm these days), or just weird antics like Tarkanian and Bobby G. Obviously other sports had some notables along those lines: Ditka, Billy Martin etc