Legendary Georgetown Coach John Thompson Passes Away At 78

Legendary Georgetown Coach John Thompson has passed away. Coach Thompson’s death has been confirmed by friends and family. The Hall of Famer became the first African-American head coach to win the NCAA National Championship, leading the Hoyas to the 1984 title. A D.C., native, Thompson starred at Archbishop Carroll before attending Providence College. Thompson was drafted by the Boston Celtics in the third round of the 1964 Draft. As Bill Russell’s backup, Thompson would go on to win two titles with the legendary franchise. After retiring, Thompson would go on to coach St. Anthony High School in D.C., before joining Georgetown University. Thompson spent 27 years with the Hoyas, with a 596–239 record, three Final Four appearances (1982, 1984 and 1985) winning a national championship in 1984. Thompson coached NBA legends Alonzo Mourning, Dikembe Mutombo, Allen Iverson, and current Georgetown Head Coach Patrick Ewing. No word on the cause of death. Thompson was 78 years old.

1. Patrick Ewing with Coach John Thompson

(Original Caption) New York: Georgetown’s Most Valuable Player, Patrick Ewing, holds his MVP trophy and victory net as he gives the #1 sign behind coach John Thompson after they Hoyas’ beat St. John’s Redmen 92-80 in the Big East final at Madison Square Garden.

2. Georgetown Hoyas

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LANDOVER, MD- JANUARY 1: John Thompson, head coach of the Georgetown Hoyas, during a college basketball game against at the U.S.Air Arena on January 1, 1990 in Landover, Maryland . (Photo by Mitchell Layton/Getty Images)

3. Georgetown Hoyas

UNDATED: Georgetown University’s coach John Thompson watches the action on the court during a game. (Photo by Focus on Sport via Getty Images)

4. Georgetown Hoyas

LANDOVER, MD – CIRCA 1989: Head coach John Thompson of the Georgetown looks on during an NCAA College basketball game circa 1989 at the Capital Centre in Landover, Maryland. Thompson coached at Georgetown from 1972-99. (Photo by Focus on Sport/Getty Images) 

5. Georgetown Hoyas

LANDOVER, MD – CIRCA 1989: Head coach John Thompson of the Georgetown looks on during an NCAA College basketball game circa 1989 at the Capital Centre in Landover, Maryland. Thompson coached at Georgetown from 1972-99. (Photo by Focus on Sport/Getty Images) 

6. Georgetown Coach John Thompson

PITTSBURGH – 1985: Head coach John Thompson of the Georgetown University Hoyas on the bench during a game against the University of Pittsburgh Panthers at the Pitt Fieldhouse in 1985 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by George Gojkovich/Getty Images) 

7. Butler v Georgetown

WASHINGTON, DC – FEBRUARY 09: Former Georgetown Hoyas head coach John Thompson Jr. looks on before a college basketball game between the Georgetown Hoyas and the Butler Bulldogs at the Capital One Arena on February 9, 2019 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Mitchell Layton/Getty Images)

8. US President Barack Obama hugs former NB

US President Barack Obama hugs former NBA star Dikembe Mutombo (R), standing with his former Georgetown University Basketball Coach John Thompson (L) before making remarks at the Let Freedom Ring Concert celebrating Martin Luther King Day on January 18, 2010 at the Kennedy Center in Washington, DC. AFP PHOTO / Tim Sloan (Photo credit should read TIM SLOAN/AFP via Getty Images) 

9. Boston College Eagles v Georgetown Hoyas

LANDOVER, MD – JANUARY 10: Allen Iverson #3 and John Thompson, head coach of the Georgetown Hoyas, talk during a basketball game against the Boston College Eagles at US AIr Arena on January 10, 1995 in Landover, Maryland. (Photo by Mitchell Layton/Getty Images) 

10. Georgetown Hoyas

UNDATED: Georgetown University’s coach John Thompson sends in replacement Allen Iverson #3 during a game. (Photo by Focus on Sport via Getty Images)

11. Basketball Hall Of Fame Enshrinement Ceremony

SPRINGFIELD, MA – SEPTEMBER 09: (L-R) Basketball Hall Of Fame inductee Allen Iverson, John Thompson, and Larry Brown appear onstage at the Basketball Hall Of Fame Enshrinement Ceremony at Springfield Symphony Hall on September 9, 2016 in Springfield, Massachusetts. (Photo by Johnny Nunez/WireImage)

12. Providence Friars v Georgetown Hoyas

LANDOVER, MD – FEBRUARY 10: Alonzo Mourning #33 and John Thompson, head of the Georgetown Hoyas, talk during a basketball game against the Providence Frairs at Capital Centre on February 10, 1992 in Landover, Maryland. (Photo by Mitchell Layton/Getty Images) 

13. Georgetown Hoyas

LANDOVER, MD – MARCH 8: John Thompson, head coach of the Georgetown Hoyas with Alonzo Mourning #33 talk during the Big East Basketball Tournament at Madison Square Garden on March 8, 1991 in New York, New York. (Photo by Mitchell Layton/Getty Images) 

14. DePaul Blue Demons v Georgetown Hoyas

LANDOVER, MD – DECEMBER 15: John Thompson, head coach of the Georgetown Hoyas, and Dikembe Mutombo #55 during a college basketball game against the DePaul Blue Demons on December 15, 1991 at Capitol Centre in Landover, Maryland. (Photo by Mitchell Layton/Getty Images) 

15. Georgetown Hoyas

LANDOVER, MD – CIRCA 1989: Head coach John Thompson of the Georgetown talks with his player Dikembe Mutombo #55 during an NCAA College basketball game circa 1989 at the Capital Centre in Landover, Maryland. Thompson coached at Georgetown from 1972-99. (Photo by Focus on Sport/Getty Images)

16. 2014 Basketball Hall of Fame Enshrinement Ceremony

SPRINGFIELD, MA – AUGUST 8: Hall of Fame coaches Pat Riley and John Thompson react to a speech by Alonzo Mourning during the 2014 Basketball Hall of Fame Enshrinement Ceremonyat Symphony Hall on August 8, 2014 in Springfield, Massachusetts. (Photo by Jim Rogash/Getty Images)