An already difficult week for the college basketball world got tougher on Wednesday. Former UNLV head coach Jerry Tarkanian passed away at the age of 84 from an infected respiratory ailment. Tarkanian’s death comes just four days after former North Carolina coach Dean Smith’s passing.
“Tark The Shark” is one of the most influential figures in the history of basketball. He’s also one of the most interesting. Tarkanian turned the Runnin’ Rebels, a complete unknown before he arrived, in to one of the most dynamic and talked about teams in the nation. UNLV went to two straight Final Fours, winning the 1990 National Championship.
Chewing on towels during games to help him relieve stress, Tarkanian became a national celebrity. But, his coaching career is defined by excellence and controversy. His record was good enough to get him inducted to the Basketball Hall of Fame in 2013. But, he left UNLV on probation when several of his players were linked to game-fixers.
Tarkanian was a complex dichotomy. He fought the NCAA tooth and nail, eventually winning a $2.5 million settlement against the organization for basically running him out of basketball. He was not fond of their rules, often taking chances on players from tough backgrounds, knowing they could carry with them potential NCAA violations.
But, he did it out of a love of people. He knew not many other coaches would give those kids a chance at a college degree, and he fully believed an opportunity would help them turn their lives around (yes, and the prospect of winning a lot of games was factored in, as well.).
I met Coach Tarkanian once, when I was in college. What struck me, a memory I still have, was the way he looked a kid in the eye and really listened to what I was saying. We talked for about five minutes, about what I don’t recall, but the “Good luck to you, son,” he offered shaking my hand was enough to convince me of this:
Jerry Tarkanian had his flaws. But he was a kind, good man who changed the lives of people he met for the better. Oh, and he was also one of the greatest college basketball coaches of all time.
