Lou Carnesecca, Legendary St. John’s Basketball Coach, Dies at 99

The Hall of Fame coach, known for his iconic sweaters and transformative impact on college basketball, passed away surrounded by family.

Lou Carnesecca led St. John’s basketball for 24 seasons, amassing 526 wins and never recording a losing season.
He guided the team to 18 NCAA Tournament appearances, including a Final Four run in 1985, and won the 1989 NIT Championship.
Carnesecca was instrumental in shaping the Big East Conference and was a three-time Big East Coach of the Year.
Known for his colorful sweaters and charismatic personality, he became a beloved figure in New York sports and beyond.
St. John’s renamed its on-campus arena after him in 2004, and a statue honoring him was unveiled in 2021.