Rollie Massimino, Who Coached Villanova To Its Massive NCAA Title Upset In 1985, Has Died

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The coach that led Villanova to one of the greatest upsets in NCAA history has died. Rollie Massimino, who led the Wildcats to an improbable victory over Patrick Ewing-led Georgetown in the 1985 NCAA men’s basketball championship game, died on Wednesday at age 82.

The Florida Sun Sentinel reported the death first on Wednesday, and shortly thereafter word spread throughout the basketball community that another legend was gone. Massimino was still coaching at the time of his death at tiny Keiser University in West Palm Beach, though the New York Daily News reported Wednesay that the coach had recently entered hospice care.

Still, it was Villanova where he made his name forever famous. The Wildcats’ community mourned his death on Twitter on Wednesday.

It’s the second time in a week that a legendary college basketball coach has died. On Monday, former Michigan State head coach Jud Heathcote died at age 90. Heathcote’s death saw an outpouring of condolences from many in the basketball community, including Magic Johnson, who played for Heathcote at Michigan State before he was drafted into the NBA.

College basketball is so different than it was in the days where Heathcote and Massimino made their marks, but the history they left behind is still significant today. When Jay Wright led Villanova to its second ever NCAA title i 2016, Massimino was famously there to celebrate with him. Knowing your history is important, especially when it leaves you for good.

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