RIP Big John

[Uncle Rico]

Former Georgetown head coach, John Thompson, passed away overnight.  He turned Georgetown into a power in the 1980's and as much as any coach, turned the Big East into a national powerhouse in college basketball.  He was a bigger than life personality who fought for racial equality and believed in the power of an education.  College basketball and society need more men like him.  Rest In Peace, Big John

[MU82]

Wow.

Truly a giant, in every sense of the word.

He will be missed.

[avid1010]

Former Georgetown head coach, John Thompson, passed away overnight.  He turned Georgetown into a power in the 1980's and as much as any coach, turned the Big East into a national powerhouse in college basketball.  He was a bigger than life personality who fought for racial equality and believed in the power of an education.  College basketball and society need more men like him.  Rest In Peace, Big John

Very well said. 

[The Sultan]

Al coached against Georgetown once.  In 1971, he beat them 88-44 in the Milwaukee Tournament.  Georgetown went 3-23 that year, fired their coach, hired Thompson and started to invest heavily into basketball.

[MUfan12]

Agree, Rico. College coaches have become so, so bland. The game was better for having big personalities and the rivalries that developed because of them.

I'm also very interested to see if this changes things at Georgetown. He was still pretty involved with the hoops program, and I think had a lot of say in Ewing's hire.

[MU82]

The first decade or so of the Big East ... those were epic battles between Thompson's team, Carnesecca's team, Boeheim's team, etc. Awesome college hoops, made better by the outsized personalities.

[Coleman]

One of the giants of the Big East. RIP

[GoldenWarrior11]

Legend.  Graduated 97% of his players, won at a high level and won a national championship.  I'm sure watching his son (JTIII) and former player (Ewing) coach at Georgetown was also one of his greatest accomplishments.

The Big East wouldn't be the Big East without JT.  RIP. 

[Galway Eagle]

Didn't realize he played at Providence. Wow between him and Billy Donovan Providence has really screwed the pooch by not trying to get their former players back as Coaches.

[The Sultan]

Didn't realize he played at Providence. Wow between him and Billy Donovan Providence has really screwed the pooch by not trying to get their former players back as Coaches.

Dave Gavitt was busy taking PC to NCAA tournaments when Georgetown took a chance on Thompson, who was a 29 year old high school coach at the time.

Donovan was an assistant at Kentucky when PC hired Pete Gillen from Xavier.  Gillen was considered quite a "get" for PC at the time.

[Galway Eagle]

Dave Gavitt was busy taking PC to NCAA tournaments when Georgetown took a chance on Thompson, who was a 29 year old high school coach at the time.

Donovan was an assistant at Kentucky when PC hired Pete Gillen from Xavier.  Gillen was considered quite a "get" for PC at the time.

Idk if you could say Gavitt was established at PC yet going to "NCAA tournaments" when he'd only gone to one but fair enough. Just crazy to me that if PC would've taken a chance either of those alumni they'd probably be listed as a Blue Blood right now. 

[Uncle Rico]

Idk if you could say Gavitt was established at PC yet going to "NCAA tournaments" when he'd only gone to one but fair enough. Just crazy to me that if PC would've taken a chance either of those alumni they'd probably be listed as a Blue Blood right now.

It's fun to speculate but that's all it is.  For all we know, circumstances could have caused those guys to fail at Providence

[tower912]

Towel over his shoulder, prowling the sidelines.    RIP.

[WhiteTrash]

Great coach. Smart man. I enjoyed his commentary on the game.

Probably not a coincidence, but I really enjoy Ewing also. He has a radio show and he really smart and friendly.

[ATL MU Warrior]

I thought this was an excellent article on Coach Thompson.

https://sports.yahoo.com/john-thompson-commanded-the-ultimate-respect-just-ask-d-cs-biggest-drug-kingpin-144741843.html

[Shooter McGavin]

Former Georgetown head coach, John Thompson, passed away overnight.  He turned Georgetown into a power in the 1980's and as much as any coach, turned the Big East into a national powerhouse in college basketball.  He was a bigger than life personality who fought for racial equality and believed in the power of an education.  College basketball and society need more men like him.  Rest In Peace, Big John

Power of an education?   Doesn't go along with your stance on pay for play.

RIP Coach

[The Big East]

John Thompson had an outstanding career. Led Providence to an NIT Championship and their First NCAA appearance. Played on two championship teams with the Celtics. Led Georgetown into the Big East and a National Championship. Was a legend of the Big East. Rightfully,  Coach Thompson deserves a lot of credit for all his achievements.

All that said, Georgetown was, is and always will be my least favorite team in the Big East. They are the team I like to see MU beat the most . I give John Thompson credit for that too. 

RIP

[Mutaman]

When i moved out east in the early 70's i was shocked at how soft the game was among eastern colleges. I think Thompson really changed that around. Those Mullin/St johns vs Ewing/Georgetown games were not for the faint of heart.

"During his senior year, Thompson led Carroll to a 24–0 record, preserving their 48-game winning streak along the way. Carroll capped off the undefeated 1960 season with a 57–55 win over St Catherine's Angels of Racine, WI in the Knights of Columbus National Championship Tournament with Thompson pacing the Lions with 15 points."
Wiki

[Billy Hoyle]

This is going to be similar to Bo Schembecher's death back at Michigan. JT, like Bo, had control over the basketball program, which is why JTIII hung on so long and why Ewing was hired. Now that JT is gone those who have wanted to get control of the program for themselves are going to try and do so, which would mean Ewing's days are likely numbered. Then, a hire from outside of the family could be made. There's going to be a power struggle. It might work out in Georgetown's favor...as long as they don't hire their version of Rich Rodriguez.

[Galway Eagle]

This is going to be similar to Bo Schembecher's death back at Michigan. JT, like Bo, had control over the basketball program, which is why JTIII hung on so long and why Ewing was hired. Now that JT is gone those who have wanted to get control of the program for themselves are going to try and do so, which would mean Ewing's days are likely numbered. Then, a hire from outside of the family could be made. There's going to be a power struggle. It might work out in Georgetown's favor...as long as they don't hire their version of Rich Rodriguez.

To be fair JT3 has a Final Four to his belt and multiple conference championships granted he would always flop in the tournament but he at least had success to claim why he was around