CHAMPAIGN – legendary coach Illini Lou Henson passed away at 88 on Saturday, according to a report by Loren Tate of The News Gazette.
Henson and his signature orange blazer ignited a successful special run for Illini basketball in the 1980s. He is the all-time winning coach of Illinois basketball with a record 423-224 and took the show to the NCAA 12 times.
Illinois was one of the top five seeds in Big Dance seven years in a row under Henson from 1984-90. That includes the 1988-89 Flyin ‘Illini that went 31-5 and advanced to the Final Four. With the likes of Nick Anderson, Kendall gill, Kenny Battle and Marcus libertyHenson’s team is considered by many to be the best in Illini’s history and is regarded nationally as one of the best teams that did not cut the nets.
“He is a coach who pushed us, who expected a lot from us on and off the court. Coach Henson means the world to me, “Anderson told Illini Inquirer in February 2019.” He always calls me, controls me and sees how I am and vice versa. It was a family. “
In addition to the Flyin ‘Illini, Henson trained other great Illinois basketball players, including Derek Harper, Eddie Johnson, Deon Thomas and Bruce douglas.
“The only thing I will say about Coach Henson, who does not receive the respect he deserves, has always prepared his teams,” Harper told Illini Inquirer in April. “You can prepare yourself in many different ways. It doesn’t always have to be game day. We were prepared to enter each game. Coach Henson did his due diligence on our opponents as well as any coach he has been with and played with. Pat riley, Chuck Daily, Dick motta, John MacLeod. Just a lot of good coaches of all time, and again, I don’t think Coach Henson gets his credit. I don’t think I would be as successful as a professional basketball player without Lou. I love them “.
The Illini inducted Henson into the Illinois Athletics Hall of Fame in 2018. He was inducted into the College Basketball Hall of Fame in 2015. Later that year, Illinois dedicated the State Farm Center hardwood to Henson by naming her. always like ‘Lou Henson Court’.
“Our orange and blue hearts are heavy,” Illini AD Josh Whitman said in a statement. “We lost an Illini icon. We lost a role model, a friend and a leader. We lost our coach. Coach Henson may be gone, but the memories he gave us and the legacy he created will last forever. He was responsible for nearly 800 record book victories and countless Fighting Illini moments frozen in time, but Coach Henson’s true measure will be felt in the lives he touched – the lives of his former players, people on this campus, and friends in our broader community We are all better because of the time we were privileged to spend with Coach Lou, whether it was five minutes or 50 years. He made everyone feel like a friend. I really enjoyed my time with Coach these past five years, and I will miss him. Our thoughts and prayers go out to Mary, Lisa, Lori, Leigh Anne and the entire Henson family. Their family will always be a part of ours. “
“It is a sad day for the Illinois basketball family and the Illini nation as we mourn the passing of Lou Henson, the best coach in the proud history of our program,” said Illini head coach Brad Underwood. “His accomplishments are legendary, but what is immeasurable are the countless lives he impacted during his 21 years at Champaign and 41 years as a coach. My thoughts and prayers go out to his wife Mary and his family, and the hundreds of players who were the Lucky enough to be led by such a tremendous man and coach. Rest in peace as best you can to wear the orange jacket, we will miss you, coach. “
“Hearing the news from my college coach Lou Henson passed away over the weekend! Lou taught us a ton of lessons that really helped us as adults, ”Flyin ‘Illini guard Stephen Bardo tweeted Wednesday. “Truly underrated coach and a great man. Rest up, coach!
