Thank you Coach Mass
Patrick Zeng
@Roundtripper891
Jalen Brunson said it best in his tweet that today "heaven gained a legend". This afternoon at age 82, coach Massimino passed away after a long standing battle with lung cancer. His legacy, especially at Villanova cannot be understated. Without coach Mass, Villanova basketball would not be as we know it today.
In 1973, when Rollie Massimino was hired, he started to lay the groundwork for what would be one of the greatest upsets to ever occur 12 years later. It only took two years of building for Massimino to turn the program around from the 11-14 season it had suffered the year before Massimino's arrival to a point where the Wildcats ripped off 11 consecutive winning seasons.
Coach Mass helped establish Villanova for what it is now. He was famous for having his players over for Italian family dinners to create a bond and togetherness that is now so often referenced as a part of Villanovan culture. He was a star member of the original cast of Big East coaches that captured the hearts of basketball fans across the country. And above all, he was a winner.
During his time at Villanova, he racked up 355 victories, 11 NCAA tournament appearances, 3 sweet sixteen's, 2 elite eight's and one championship that will live forever. Coach Mass helped to create the magic of the NCAA tournament that captivates the nation every spring. His 1985 eighth seeded Wildcats upset the Patrick Ewing led Georgetown Hoyas 66-64 in Lexington. That team still remains the lowest seeded team to ever take home a NCAA basketball championship.
Rollie Massimino helped put Villanova on the map. His kindness, leadership and charisma truly made him a living legend among Wildcats. Massimino was also the man that originally brought current head coach Jay Wright into the program in 1987 after seeing his skills as a leader in a summer basketball camp.
Wright coached under him at Villanova for five years before making the jump to UNLV with Massimino for another two years. And it was Rollie Massimino that gave a glowing endorsement of coach Wright when the head coach position was vacant at Nova in 2001. Needless to say, Wright got the job and the rest is history.
Even while not directly connected to the program, Rollie's influence and legacy was always felt. He made sure to sit right behind the bench during Villanova's magical run to the 2016 national championship despite his health concerns. His appearance at last year's Hoops Mania event on campus sent the Pavilion into bedlam and the joy on the players' faces when they saw him was so clear to see. And his greatest accomplishment of the 1985 NCAA championship trophy glistens in the Davis Center for onlookers to take in.
Coach Rollie Massimino was one of the greatest influences this university has ever seen. He embodied what Villanova is; caring, compassionate and united with a culture of winning. He is the god father of Villanova basketball who put the stones in place for the program's prominence today. He watched his players pull off one of the greatest upsets in college sports history and now he watches over Villanova from the sideline in heaven. Thank you for everything coach Mass, rest easy.
@Roundtripper891
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| SI |
In 1973, when Rollie Massimino was hired, he started to lay the groundwork for what would be one of the greatest upsets to ever occur 12 years later. It only took two years of building for Massimino to turn the program around from the 11-14 season it had suffered the year before Massimino's arrival to a point where the Wildcats ripped off 11 consecutive winning seasons.
Coach Mass helped establish Villanova for what it is now. He was famous for having his players over for Italian family dinners to create a bond and togetherness that is now so often referenced as a part of Villanovan culture. He was a star member of the original cast of Big East coaches that captured the hearts of basketball fans across the country. And above all, he was a winner.
 |
| SI |
Rollie Massimino helped put Villanova on the map. His kindness, leadership and charisma truly made him a living legend among Wildcats. Massimino was also the man that originally brought current head coach Jay Wright into the program in 1987 after seeing his skills as a leader in a summer basketball camp.
Wright coached under him at Villanova for five years before making the jump to UNLV with Massimino for another two years. And it was Rollie Massimino that gave a glowing endorsement of coach Wright when the head coach position was vacant at Nova in 2001. Needless to say, Wright got the job and the rest is history.
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| CSN Philly |
Coach Rollie Massimino was one of the greatest influences this university has ever seen. He embodied what Villanova is; caring, compassionate and united with a culture of winning. He is the god father of Villanova basketball who put the stones in place for the program's prominence today. He watched his players pull off one of the greatest upsets in college sports history and now he watches over Villanova from the sideline in heaven. Thank you for everything coach Mass, rest easy.
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