"Condolences to his family" - College hoops world left distraught as 99-year-old NCAA legend dies

NCAA legend and Hall of Fame coach Lou Carnesecca died at the age of 99, leaving the basketball world devastated. Carnesecca was a true icon of the game, renowned for his trademark sweaters and his success as the coach of St. John’s University from 1965 to 1992.

On Saturday, Nov. 30, Carnesecca succumbed in a hospital with his family by his side just one month short of turning 100, a family member informed the university.

College fans across the country expressed their condolences and paid tribute to the legendary coach on social media.

"RIP to a St. John's and college basketball LEGEND," The Field of 68 posted on X.

Here are some responses from fans in the comments:

"Oh no!! Wow! What a legend RIP to Coach. My condolences to his family,friends and the St. John's Community," one fan wrote.

"Great coach, yes - but even better human. Never has a humbler, kinder, more generous coach walked the court ... RIP & thx, Looie," a fan commented with a love emoji.

"Damn RIP legend," another one added.

"Legendary coach, loved watching the Big East and teams like St. John’s, Georgetown, Syracuse, etc. Thank you for making the game I love much better. Loved the sweaters he wear too. Rest in peace Coach!" one user wrote.

"Tough as nails, Thanks for being a great human being! R.I.P.," another fan mentioned,

"Sorry to see this! Rest easy the legend of the Big East and Queens!" a user commented.

"Loved you Lou what a legend great person coach and made us all believe," one fan added.

Lou Carnesecca was a fixture in college basketball for over three decades, amassing over 500 wins and leading the St. John's Red Storm to 18 NCAA tournament appearances, including a Final Four berth in 1985.

Lou Carnesecca's extraordinary coaching career St. John's

Lou Carnesecca first joined St. John's basketball staff as an assistant coach in 1958 and took over as the head coach in 1965. He left the Red Storm after five seasons to lead the New York Nets in the ABA before returning to St. John's in 1973.

The New York native coached a total of 24 seasons at the Queens-based university, compiling a record of 526-200 and winning five Big East regular season championships and two Big East tournament titles.

Lou Carnesecca led St. John’s to a postseason tournament each year, finishing up with 18 NCAA and 6 NIT appearances. He was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 1992 and the National Collegiate Hall of Fame in 2006.