Former Georgetown basketball coach John Thompson has died.

[Colonels_Wear_Blue]

78 years old.

He played for the Providence Friars in college before being drafted by the Celtics. When he graduated from Providence, he was their all-time leader in points, scoring average, and field goal percentage, and he was second in career rebounds. Played two seasons in the NBA, both for the Celtics, and won the NBA championship both years ('65 & '66).

Left the NBA and moved into a high school basketball coaching job before he took over at Georgetown. Thompson spent 27 years as head coach for the Hoyas, and went 596–239 as a head coach. He had 20 appearances in the NCAA Tournament at Georgetown, and 3 appearances in the Final Four ('82, '84 & '85). Won the tournament in 1985. He was the first African-American head coach to win the NCAA Tournament.

[GOREDDEVILS]

RIP  Coach John Thompson.

[Randy Parker]

Georgetown was probably the power program of the 1980's.  Louisville's up there too for that decade.  Thompson coached some really good talent.  

[tcjkbt]

It would be fitting if had a white towel draped over his casket.

[The Professor]

He had some great teams at Georgetown. Well respected in coaching and recruiting in his heyday of the ‘80s. 

[gchs_uk9]

22 hours ago, Randy Parker said:

Georgetown was probably the power program of the 1980's.  Louisville's up there too for that decade.  Thompson coached some really good talent.  

Three championship game appearances in four years and quite possibly should have won all three were it not for the Jordan shot and turnover against Carolina and Villanova shooting a zillion percent at Rupp.

[cincyswords]

Always loved watching his teams play.  He was underrated I felt during the time he was at Georgetown.  Seems he got more love as a great coach after he retired.  Also, enjoyed his analysis on games on the radio.