Legendary college basketball coach Lou Carnesecca dead at 99

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St. John’s men’s basketball coaching legend Lou Carnesecca, who coachedthe program for more than two decades, has died, the school announced Sunday night. He was just a few weeks shy of his 100th birthday.

Carnesecca was the coach of St. John’s for 24 seasons over two stints. He led the team to 18 seasons in which the team won at least 20 games and 18 NCAA Tournament appearances. His teams produced star players like Chris Mullin, Bill Wennington, Mark Jackson and Walter Berry.

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St. John's coach Lou Carnesecca is carried by his team after the Redman beat Boston College in the Big East Championship at New York's Madison Square Garden, on March 12, 1983. (AP Photo/G. Paul Burnett, File)

St. John’s won the NIT Championship in 1989 and he was named to the Basketball Hall of Fame in 1992 – the year he retired from the sport.

"Hall of Fame coach Lou Carnesecca '50C, '60GEd, '00HON, who led the St. John's men's basketball team for 24 seasons and endeared himself to generations of New Yorkers with his wit and warmth, passed away on Saturday surrounded by family," the team said.

"The legendary head coach leaves behind his beloved wife of 73 years, Mary, as well as his cherished family – daughter Enes, son-in-law Gerard (Jerry), granddaughter Ieva and her fiancé Frank, his dear niece and nephew, Susan Chiesa, John Chiesa and his wife, Nancy – as well as his extended family and his closest friends join them in their loss."

MISSOURI STAR BASKETBALL PLAYER STRETCHERED OFF COURT IN SCARY MOMENT

Former St. John's men's basketball coach Lou Carnesecca smiles during a news conference to announce