Jerry Tarkanian, the legendary UNLV coach who led the program to its greatest stretch in history, has died at age 84, his son announced Wednesday morning. Tarkanian had been fighting health issues over the past year and was recently hospitalized for the third time in 10 months.
Jerry Tarkanian, legendary UNLV coach, is dead at 84 after recent hospitalization
Tarkanian’s son announced the news via social media Wednesday morning.
Josh H. Holmberg-USA TODAY Sports
Tarkanian’s son, Danny, went to Twitter to make the announcement:
Coach Tark, my father, the greatest man I have ever known, passed today, to take his place in heaven. I will miss him every day of my life.
— Danny Tarkanian (@DannyTarkanian) February 11, 2015 Tarkanian had been hospitalized in Nevada earlier this week while fighting a respiratory ailment and infection, and was reportedly in critical condition two days ago. Last year, he suffered his second heart attack in April, then was treated for pneumonia in November.
Known affectionately as "Tark the Shark" during his coaching days, Tarkanian coached for 31 years at the NCAA level with Long State Beach, UNLV and Fresno State, finishing with a 729-201 record. He led UNLV to nine straight NCAA Tournament appearances in the late 80s and early 90s, eventually winning the national championship in 1990. A year later, the Runnin' Rebels returned to the Final Four with an unbeaten record, but lost to Duke despite being heavy favorites.
Jerry Tarkanian
Jerry Tarkanian
That was the beginning of the downfall for Tarkanian, who lasted just one more year at UNLV before run-ins with the NCAA involving a gambler named Richard Perry forced him to resign. He briefly moved to the NBA from there, getting hired by the San Antonio Spurs, but lasted just 20 games before being ousted due to disagreements with ownership.
Tarkanian then decided to sue the NCAA after being fired by San Antonio, claiming that the organization repeatedly tossed unfair allegations his way, and eventually won a $2.5 million settlement in 1998. At that time, he was the head coach for Fresno State, where he spent his final seven seasons before retiring in 2002.
Tarkanian actually finished with a 784-202 record, but NCAA rulings vacated many wins from his time with Long Beach State and Fresno State. His official total of 729 victories is 35th all-time among NCAA men’s basketball coaches.
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