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| Provided by St. John's. |
Lou Carnesecca, the patriarch of the St. John's Men's Basketball program, passed away on Saturday at the age of 99.
Carnesecca, whom the campus' arena is named after, won 526 games in his 24 years at the helm from 1965-70 and 1973-92. The reason it was two stints is he coached the New York Nets for three seasons, taking the Nets to the ABA playoffs in each one of the them, including the championship round in 1972. His record was 526-200, a .725 winning percentage, which ranks in the top 100 in Division I history. St. John's ranked in the AP Top 25 for 161 weeks during his career, which included 70 times as one of the top 10 teams in the country.
Tributes have poured in since this very sad news was released, and here are some of them:
St. John’s University President Rev. Brian J. Shanley, O.P. - “St. John’s University mourns the passing of its most iconic figure, Coach Lou Carnesecca. For 24 seasons he represented St. John’s with savvy, humility, smarts, tenacity, wit, integrity, and grace. He reflected in his persona the scrappy Queens character of our community. He was the public face of our university, and he embodied the values of our Catholic and Vincentian mission. We extend our deepest sympathies to his family. We thank God for his legacy. May he rest in peace.”
William J. Janetschek ’84CBA, ’17HON, Chair of the St. John's University Board of Trustees, Retired Partner and Chief Financial Officer, Kohlberg Kravis Roberts & Co. L.P. - "Throughout his long and legendary life, Coach Carnesecca was a teacher on and off the basketball court. Wherever he traveled, Lou truly represented the Catholic and Vincentian mission and values of St. John's. May God grant him the fullness of eternal life."
Very Rev. Stephen M. Grozio, C.M., Provincial Vice Chair of the St. John's University Board of Trustees, Provincial Superior, Eastern Province of the Congregation of the Mission (the Vincentians)
"Lou Carnesecca was a man of faith who always had a special relationship with the Vincentian Community that founded and sponsor St. John's University. He was named an affiliate of the Congregation of the Mission, a rare distinction bestowed on members of the laity."
St. John’s Vice President and Director of Athletics Edward Kull
“While he was undoubtedly one of the all-time greats to ever roam a sideline, Lou Carnesecca was so much more than a coach to everyone at St. John’s. From the time I first met him more than 20 years ago, he had this incredible ability to make everyone feel important and made everyone feel like a someone. He always made time, whether you were a former All-American or a fan on the street who wanted to introduce your son or daughter to ‘Looie.’ He embodied everything that is great about this University, this city and the sport of basketball. There will never be another like him and we are all better for having known him. His legacy lives in the spirit of St. John’s University as Catholic and Vincentian in all aspects. As the true King of Queens, from a Stanner to what it means to be a Johnny, he will be missed but never forgotten."
St. John’s Men’s Basketball Head Coach Rick Pitino - “We lost an iconic St. John’s man. His coaching expertise was as good as anyone in basketball but the man he was surpassed that. Rest in peace Looie. We will miss you so much.”
St. John’s Women’s Basketball Head Coach Joe Tartamella - "I'm deeply saddened to hear the news of Coach Carnesecca's passing. Lou made a profound and lasting impact on St. John's University, the BIG EAST Conference and college basketball as a whole. He embodied the University's Vincentian mission and touched the lives of so many in New York City and beyond. My thoughts and prayers are with his wife, Mary, his daughter, Enes and their entire family."
BIG EAST Commissioner Val Ackerman - "The BIG EAST Conference is deeply saddened by the passing of Lou Carnesecca, a quintessential New Yorker and one of the most successful coaches in our history. His basketball accomplishments abound: 526 wins in 24 seasons, post-season bids in each of those years, the "sweater game" and other magic moments at Madison Square Garden, and the superstars he mentored along the way who are themselves part of BIG EAST lore.
“But Coach Carnesecca's impact extended far beyond the basketball court. He was tough, fiery and resilient, qualities he shared with the conference he helped launch, build and define. His successes propelled the BIG EAST in its early years to the top of the college sports world, and his belief in the power of basketball to define universities remains at the heart of our DNA. A tactical genius on the sidelines, Coach was equal parts teacher, mentor, master motivator, father figure, storyteller, ambassador, icon, champion and friend. He was truly beloved, and his mark on St. John's, the BIG EAST and college basketball will be indelible.
“We extend our heartfelt condolences to his wife Mary, his daughter Enes and the entire St. John's community during this difficult time.”
St. John’s Hall of Famer and NBA Analyst Mark Jackson – via Instagram - “My Coach, praying for your family. What a life, what a game changer! Thank you for everything! I love you, I’m forever grateful!”
Former St. John’s standout and Chicago Bulls Radio Analyst Bill Wennington - “Coach Carnesecca was like a father to us all. Not only did he teach us to be better basketball players, he taught us how to be better men. He stayed in contact with me throughout my career, always calling and asking how my family my wife and my son were doing. He is a true dear friend and will be sorely missed.”
Former Assistant Coach/Head Coach and St. John’s Radio Analyst Brian Mahoney - “I knew Lou for 60 years, going back to his basketball camps. He was my coach, boss, mentor and father figure. He taught me so many things about basketball and about life. All our years at St. John’s, we had incredible teams and truly loved all our kids. We often spoke about how proud we were of all of them. Ronnie [Rutledge], Lou and I never grew apart. A lunch was always planned where old games were still discussed. Even at 99, my family and I could never be prepared for the loss this has left us with. He was our family.”
NCAA Senior Vice President of Basketball Dan Gavitt - “During the 1980s, college basketball experienced a meteoric rise in popularity, and Lou Carnesecca was a big reason for that. His colorful personality and wardrobe drew significant attention, but his coaching prowess ultimately made him a Naismith Hall of Fame legend in our game. With more than 500 wins, a Final Four appearance, five BIG EAST titles and a pair of BIG EAST Tournament Championships, Coach Carnesecca was a beloved figure in a basketball-crazed city. We extend our deepest sympathies to Lou’s family, as well as the St. John’s University community.”
Longtime ESPN Basketball Analyst Dick Vitale – via X/Twitter - “One of a kind - loving caring & passionate is what I have felt about Coach Carnesecca as I loved the many conversations we had during my time at ESPN of covering St. John’s Basketball during his era.
“I absolutely loved doing St. John’s Basketball games during the Lou Carnesecca era. Lou created such excitement with his enthusiasm, energy and his passion for college basketball. He will be missed but never ever forgotten. Luigi… May you Rest in Peace.”
NBC 4 New York Sports Anchor Bruce Beck – via X/Twitter - “With tears in my eyes - I say goodbye to Lou Carnesecca. 99 years of living life to its fullest. What a coach. What a man. What a friend. He was like a second father to me. I was so honored to host his TV show and so blessed to have him in my life. RIP Louie.”
FOX 5 New York Sports Reporter Tina Cervasio – via X/Twitter - “New York City basketball isn’t New York City basketball without Lou. When Rick Pitino was hired, Coach Carnesecca’s energy and excitement in our interview was palpable. St. John’s Basketball was the love of his life. Still have a lovely note from Coach in my office at work.”
Longtime New York Daily News Columnist and New York Times Best-Selling Author Mike Lupica– via X/Twitter - “You never just went out to St. John's to interview Looie Carnesecca. You went to the house, and Mary would cook and the stories would begin and before long it didn't matter what you'd come to talk about. One of the dear men in the history of sports. He made us all feel like family.”
Longtime WFAN Personality Mike Francesa – via X/Twitter - “When you think St. John's University, you think Lou Carnesecca. He and the school were one. Amazing life. May he rest in peace.”
WFAN Host and St. John’s Radio Analyst Brandon Tierney - “Everyone knows the stats and all the wins, and how influential he was in the early days of the BIG EAST, and his spirit...but we lost a great one tonight. There’s just no way around it. He’s one of those people for me - and you know this is never gonna be the case - but you just thought that he would live forever.
“I gotta let everyone know just what he meant...for me, it was Mattingly, it was Mullin, and it was Coach Carnesecca.
“He was the absolute best. He was the best man. His heart and his spirit was just unmatched. I just want to say to the St. John’s family out there, that I’m gonna carry him with me forever.
“I look back at that spark, that flame that it became in the mid 80s...every one of us in Brooklyn was rocking the Starter St. John’s jacket and when we took off the jacket we had the hoodies. When we played CYO games, we’d wear the hoodie in the layup lines. There was a point...where St. John’s was bigger than the Knicks.”
Georgetown Men’s Basketball Head Coach Ed Cooley – via X/Twitter -"Sending condolences from our Hoya Family to those nearest and dearest to Coach Lou Carnesecca and St. John’s Basketball. One of the pioneers of the BIG EAST Conference - he is synonymous with this great league and will be truly missed by all in the basketball world.”
Georgetown Director of Athletics Lee Reed – via X/Twitter - “Heartfelt condolences to our friends at St. John’s for the loss of legendary coach Lou Carnesecca. Coach had a profound impact on the history of St John’s, the BIG EAST and college basketball. He will be missed but never ever forgotten.”
Former Villanova Head Coach and Current CBS Sports Analyst Jay Wright - “The greatest competitor and still a loveable guy. What a loss for humanity. Coach was a mentor for all of us that coached in New York City. Condolences to the St. John’s Basketball family that he loved!”
Former St. John’s Assistant Coach and College of Charleston Head Coach John Kresse - “Coach Carnesecca is the greatest person that I ever was associated with. He gave me a job at the age of 21 as a full-time assistant when Coach Joe Lapchick retired and Coach Carnesecca took over as head coach. He was just a phenomenal worker and a charming person. He could coach, he could recruit, he was great in public relations. New York fell in love with Coach and was a love affair that was something else to observe. Coach had a little bit of Yogi Berra in him in that he was a quite quotable person. As a coach, I looked at Red Holzman, who coached the Knicks, and Coach Carnesecca was a lot like him. They both prepared extremely well, players played so hard on every play for them in practice and in games. He reminds me of Coach Holzman in how they both were so successful in New York, one with the [New York] Knicks and one with St. John’s and the [New York] Nets.
Queens Borough President Donovan Richards – via X/Twitter - “Lou Carnesecca was a legend in every sense of the word. You can’t tell the story of NYC sports without talking about his 526 wins at St. John’s, the 1985 Final Four or all those crazy sweaters. Rest in peace, Looie. Thank you for helping put Queens on the map.”
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