Legendary Kentucky basketball coach Joe B. Hall dies at 93
Kentucky basketball coaching legend Joe B. Hall died, the school announced Saturday.
He was 93.
It is with great sadness we share the passing of the great Joe B. Hall. Our hearts are with the Hall family.
We love you, Joe B. pic.twitter.com/SahjbGOexb— Kentucky Men’s Basketball (@KentuckyMBB) January 15, 2022
Hall replaced Adolph Rupp as coach in Lexington in 1972 and guided the Wildcats until 1985, compiling a 297-100 record with 10 NCAA tournament appearances, three Final Fours and a national title in 1978. Hall remained a fixture in Lexington until his death.
He also played for Rupp on the Wildcats' 1949 team that won the national title, making Hall one of three men who played and coached on an NCAA championship team. Dean Smith and Bobby Knight are the others. Hall is the only one to do it at the same school.
Hall, who served as his assistant for seven years under Rupp before taking over as head coach, also coached at Regis College in Denver and Central Missouri State. Hall had a 373-156 career coaching record.
Hall also helped fully integrate the men's basketball program at Kentucky. Florida State coach Leonard Hamilton was the first Black assistant coach in UK basketball history. He was hired by Hall.
Kentucky coach John Calipari praised Hall on Saturday for carrying on "the winning tradition and legacy of excellence of Kentucky basketball."
Coach Joe B. Hall – my friend, my mentor, and an icon in our state and in our profession – passed away this morning. Joe B. Hall took over a program and carried on the winning tradition and legacy of excellence of Kentucky basketball. pic.twitter.com/QirdXnAeMH
— John Calipari (@UKCoachCalipari) January 15, 2022
Coach Hall always met me with a smile, including two days ago when I went to see him and hold his hand. He understood everything that was said, and as I prayed for him, he squeezed my hand tight. pic.twitter.com/O5UpBn9DfZ
— John Calipari (@UKCoachCalipari) January 15, 2022
Coach Hall is beloved by everyone. What makes me happy on this extremely somber day is that before he left this earth, he knew how much all of us appreciated and loved him. I would ask that everyone keep him and his family in your prayers. I love you, Coach. pic.twitter.com/hm7apfFQBU
— John Calipari (@UKCoachCalipari) January 15, 2022
Others throughout college basketball and Kentucky also praised Hall on Saturday.
RIP Joe B. Hall. Great coach, and one exceedingly nice man. I used to love appearing on his radio show. Hall proved one can be an intense competitor AND incredibly nice, too. https://t.co/joetnS6uJQ
— Jay Bilas (@JayBilas) January 15, 2022
Joe B. Hall not only won the 1978 National Championship, he knocked on the door often. John Woden’s last opponent? Hall, in the 1975 title game, with Kevin Grevey and Jimmy Dan Conner. Elite Eight in 1977 v. Dean Smith. As head coach and an assistant to Rupp, he changed UK. RIP. https://t.co/I2a3DzvK0Q
— Jay Bilas (@JayBilas) January 15, 2022
A great read here about one of the nicest guys from the coaching profession I ever met .Read @JerryTipton about the intense pressure Joe B Hall faced in replacing Coach Rupp . It is so sad to hear about the passing of JOE B HALL . May Coach RIP https://t.co/Dvuf2jAYqDpic.twitter.com/gJ7Sh18mF3
— Dick Vitale (@DickieV) January 15, 2022
Coach Joe B. Hall was not only a remarkable basketball legend, he was also a kind, generous leader who made an impact on his players and everyone who knew him. Britainy and I extend our deepest sympathies to Coach Hall’s family as they mourn this heartbreaking loss. ^AB
— Governor Andy Beshear (@GovAndyBeshear) January 15, 2022
More tributes at Tennessee-Kentucky game
No. 18 Kentucky honored Hall before its game against No. 22 Tennessee at Rupp Arena.
This is now being shown on the Rupp video board. https://t.co/jkU1qc4F7z
— Ben Roberts (@BenRobertsHL) January 15, 2022
Joe B. Hall is remembered before today’s game against Tennessee. @KentuckySports@BenRobertsHL@heraldleader@johnclayiv@markcstorypic.twitter.com/kVg1sY3wCF
— Alex Slitz (@AlexSlitzPhoto) January 15, 2022
The Wildcats also came out in a 1-3-1 zone — a defense that Hall loved but Calipari's team doesn't play — on their first possession. Calipari was also coaching with a rolled-up program in his hand, another Hall trademark.
Kentucky opens the game in a 1-3-1 zone in honor of Joe B. Hall. Amazing. pic.twitter.com/oyvSYGVYkY
— Tyler Thompson (@MrsTylerKSR) January 15, 2022
In honor of Joe B. Hall 🗞 pic.twitter.com/D7yisGGsaa
— Kentucky Men’s Basketball (@KentuckyMBB) January 15, 2022
Unfortunately for UK fans, the Vols scored on the possession. But the Wildcats quickly took control. They scored 52 first-half points against the Vols — who allowed only 60.7 points per game entering the game — and built a 52-38 lead at halftime. Kentucky went on to win the game 107-79 behind TyTy Washington Jr.'s career-high 28 points.