John Calipari mourns loss of his friend, Louisville coach Denny Crum

Kentucky coach John Calipari posted a touching tribute to his friend and peer Denny Crum, Louisville’s legendary college basketball coach.

When Louisville Cardinals coach Denny Crum passed away on Tuesday, the college basketball community came together to celebrate Crum’s storied life and career. Louisville fans, current and former players, and people from across the nation paid their respects to a Hall-of-Famer who raised the Cardinals basketball program to new heights in the 1980s and 1990s.

One fellow coach mourning Crum’s death was Kentucky Wildcats’ John Calipari, who praised both the person and the coach behind Denny Crum.

Calipari posted a heartfelt message on Twitter in honor of his friend, a bona fide legend. Calipari also mentions somewhat comically that Crum was his daughter’s favorite coach because of his signature red jacket and his name.

Kentucky’s John Calipari among many paying respects to the late Denny Crum

Calipari and Crum are like two Hall-of-Fame peas in a pod. The Kentucky coach’s career isn’t quite over yet, as the Wildcats are coming off a disappointing 2022 season that saw them exit in the second round of March Madness.

It’s hard to say which coach had a more profound impact on his respective college basketball program, though these things shouldn’t be considered competitions, anyway.

Crum, also known as “Cool Hand Luke,” didn’t gain national recognition for cutting down parking meters. Instead, the coaching icon elevated the Cardinals’ basketball program, helping the school win two national titles and achieve six Final Four appearances from 1971 to 2001.

Crum won 15 regular season conference championships and 11 Metro Conference tournament titles, and he also took home the National Coach of the Year award three times.

In 1993, Crum made history as the second fastest coach to win 500 career games; he ended his tenure at Louisville with a sparkling 675-279 record.

On Tuesday, the college basketball world lost a legendary coach, a wise mentor, and a dear friend to many. May Crum’s legacy live on forever.