Last Black Coach To Win Ncaa Basketball Championship
The NCAA basketball championship is one of the most prestigious tournaments in the world of basketball. Each year, the tournament brings together the best college basketball teams in the United States to compete for the national championship. Over the years, many coaches have left their mark on the tournament, but one coach stands out for his unique achievement. John Thompson Jr. is the last black coach to win the NCAA basketball championship.
The Rise of John Thompson Jr.
John Thompson Jr. was born on September 2, 1941, in Washington D.C. He was an exceptional athlete in high school and played basketball at Archbishop Carroll High School. He then went on to play for Providence College and served as team captain in his senior year.
After college, Thompson had a short career playing professional basketball. He played for the Boston Celtics and later the Washington Bullets. However, his true calling was coaching, and he began his coaching career at St. Anthony Catholic School in Washington D.C.
Thompson's coaching skills were quickly recognized, and he was hired as an assistant coach at Georgetown University in 1972. He became the head coach in 1972 and quickly turned the team around. Under his leadership, Georgetown became one of the top college basketball teams in the country.
The Championship Years
John Thompson Jr.'s coaching prowess was on full display in 1984 when he led Georgetown to the NCAA basketball championship. The team was led by future NBA Hall of Famer Patrick Ewing, and they played some of the most dominant basketball in the tournament's history.
The championship game was against the University of Houston, and it was a closely contested affair. Georgetown won the game 84-75, and John Thompson Jr. became the first black coach to win the NCAA basketball championship.
Thompson's success did not end there. In 1985, Georgetown made it back to the championship game but lost to Villanova. However, they came back strong in 1987 and made it to the championship game once again. This time, they faced Indiana University, and they won the game 74-64.
The Legacy of John Thompson Jr.
John Thompson Jr. was more than just a basketball coach. He was a mentor, a leader, and an advocate for social justice. He was known for recruiting student-athletes who had previously struggled academically or had faced financial hardships. He also spoke out on issues of racial injustice and was a vocal supporter of the Black Lives Matter movement.
Thompson's coaching career at Georgetown spanned 27 years, during which he amassed a record of 596-239. He coached several NBA stars during his career, including Patrick Ewing, Alonzo Mourning, and Dikembe Mutombo. He was also inducted into the Basketball Hall of Fame in 1999.
John Thompson Jr. passed away on August 30, 2020, at the age of 78. His legacy as a coach, mentor, and advocate will live on in the hearts of his players and the basketball world.
