Joe B. Hall, who won a national championship as both a player and head coach at the University of Kentucky, has died at the age of 93.
The Kentucky’s men’s basketball program made the unfortunate announcement on Saturday.
“It is with great sadness we share the passing of the great Joe B. Hall,” the program tweeted. “Our hearts are with the Hall family. We love you, Joe B.”
Hall was one of just three men in college basketball history to play on and coach for an NCAA championship team (1949, 1978). He’s also the only person to do it for the same school.
After learning of Hall’s death, current Wildcats coach John Calipari tweeted a remembrance.
Hall spent 13 years as Kentucky head coach, compiling 297 victories after taking over for Adolph Rupp, who led the program for an impressive 41 seasons. He was named National Coach of the Year in 1978 and SEC Coach of the Year four times (1973, 1975, 1978, 1983).
Following his retirement, Hall stayed close to the program. He regularly attended practices and games, and his statue remains in place in front of Wildcat Lodge, where the men’s basketball players reside.
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