Mel Cooley XU'81
08-31-2017, 10:41 AM
90 years . . . old.
From an online eulogy. (https://theathletic.com/91229/2017/08/30/crean-jud-heathcote-taught-us-all-how-it-should-be-done/)
[He] combined fundamentals with flash. Think of all the lobs over the years. He [was] demanding and detailed in his coaching intensity. He hated turnovers and mental errors but allowed his players and teams to play with a controlled creativity. Innovative? He was winning big with three guards . . . before many even thought of making the other team adjust to you. He could win with the top recruits . . . or take under-recruited . . . and help them go on to long NBA careers. It didn't matter how the player entered the program, they left much better.
A great model for coaches. His teams had that look and feel (Big, Tough Winners) that I see XU moving decidedly toward -- especially at the Big East level.
(And please don't get hung up on the eulogist.)
From an online eulogy. (https://theathletic.com/91229/2017/08/30/crean-jud-heathcote-taught-us-all-how-it-should-be-done/)
[He] combined fundamentals with flash. Think of all the lobs over the years. He [was] demanding and detailed in his coaching intensity. He hated turnovers and mental errors but allowed his players and teams to play with a controlled creativity. Innovative? He was winning big with three guards . . . before many even thought of making the other team adjust to you. He could win with the top recruits . . . or take under-recruited . . . and help them go on to long NBA careers. It didn't matter how the player entered the program, they left much better.
A great model for coaches. His teams had that look and feel (Big, Tough Winners) that I see XU moving decidedly toward -- especially at the Big East level.
(And please don't get hung up on the eulogist.)