The coach at the center of college basketball’s biggest upset has passed. Rollie Massimino, most famous for coaching the Villanova Wildcats to a National Championship win over Georgetown in one of college basketball’s greatest upsets ever, has passed at the age of 82.
“The Nova Nation has lost a legend and great leader,” stated Villanova head coach Jay Wright. “Coach’s love of family, community, and teamwork were evident in every game his teams ever played. All of us, as coaches and players, idolized Coach Mass. He inspired and impacted all of our lives. He never stopped being a cherished mentor and friend.
“All of us in the Villanova Basketball family extend our deepest sympathies to Mrs. Mass, his wife of 59 years, his five children – Tom, Lee Ann, Michele, R.C. and Andrew – and his 17 grandchildren.”
Massimino was the head coach at Villanova from 1973-1992, before later becoming the head coach of UNLV from 1992-94. Massimino coached for Cleveland State from 1996-2003 before retiring.
