Basketball world pays tribute to legendary St. John’s coach Lou Carnesecca following his death

Many players, coaches, and media paid their respects to the late legendary St. John’s basketball head coach

The basketball world continues to mourn the loss of iconic St. John’s men’s basketball coach Lou Carnesecca, who died on Saturday at the age of 99.

For a man whose character exceeded his incredible coaching accomplishments, there is no shortage of tributes, words of gratitude, and memorials for Carnesecca. Here are just a few of the countless tributes from coaches, players, media members, and colleagues for the legendary New York City-born head coach.

Current St. John’s men’s basketball coach Rick Pitino said in a statement: “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.”

Longtime ESPN college basketball analyst Dick Vitale paid tribute to Carnesecca on Twitter/X.

“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,” Vitale said, “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.”

The New York Knicks held a moment of silence for Lou Carnesecca prior to Sunday night’s game against the New Orleans Pelicans in the very building he enjoyed much of his success. On behalf of the Knicks, longtime public address announcer Mike Walczewski said “his mark on St. John’s, Madison Square Garden, and the basketball community will forever be felt.”

The Brooklyn Nets, who were coached by Carnesecca when they were known as the New York Nets in the ABA from 1970 to 1973, posted their own tribute on social media.

Former NBA All-Star Mark Jackson and NBA champion Bill Wennington each played under Carnesecca and offered words of gratitude for their college head coach.

“My Coach, praying for your family. What a life, what a game changer!,” Jackson posted on Instagram, “Thank you for everything! I love you, I’m forever grateful!”

Wennington commented in a press release: “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.”

Brian Mahoney, who was an assistant coach under Carnesecca and became the St. John’s head coach after Lou Carnesecca retired after the 1991-92 season, offered his thoughts on Carnesecca:

“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.”

Figures from other Big East schools also shared their condolences. Former Villanova head coach and current CBS Sports college basketball analyst Jay Wright said of Carnesecca: “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!”

Georgetown head coach Ed Cooley wrote on Twitter/X: “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.”

Carnesecca was also known for his kind-hearted relationship with the press, as media members who spent a lot of time with the Hall of Famer offered their own tributes.

NBC New York sports reporter Bruce Beck posted on Twitter/X: “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 2nd father to me. I was so honored to host his TV show & so blessed to have him in my life. RIP Louie”

New York Daily News columnist and New York Times bestselling author Mike Lupica remembered what it was like interviewing Carnesecca: “You never just went out to St. John’s to interview Looie Carnesecca,” Lupica wrote on Twitter/X, “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.”

ESPN personality Michael Wilbon offered a first-hand account on Monday’s episode of The Tony Kornheiser Show of how Lou Carnesecca drove him to LaGuardia Airport through a snowstorm back in 1985 so Wilbon could catch a shuttle to Washington, D.C.

Longtime Mets and Islanders play-by-play radio broadcaster Howie Rose shared a story of on Twitter/X. “My friend Dave lost both of his parents within a year in the early 1970s,” Rose wrote, “He went to St. John’s and became the basketball team’s manager. Lou essentially adopted Dave and was a surrogate father to him. Lou Carnesecca was a special man beyond the [basketball] court. RIP.”