Legendary Basketball Coach Rollie Massimino​ Dead At 82: Keiser University

FORT LAUDERDALE, FL — Legendary college basketball coach Rollie Massimino, who led the Villanova Wildcats to a storied NCAA Championship in 1985 against Georgetown University, has died, according to the chancellor of Keiser University who expressed "heartfelt sadness" on behalf of the school. Massimino served as head coach of the Keiser men's basketball team for the past 12 years. He was 82.

Like the Miami Patch Facebook page below, then continue reading the story.

"As our campus community deeply mourns the loss of Coach Massimino, we extend our warmest thoughts and condolences to his wife Mary Jane and the entire Massimino family," Chancellor Dr. Arthur Keiser posted on the school's Seahawk Nation website. "We are so truly honored to have shared this time with him and take some degree of comfort in knowing the positive impact he has had on college students for the last four decades remains immeasurable. We are so truly honored to have shared this time with him and take some degree of comfort in knowing the positive impact he has had on college students for the last four decades remains immeasurable." (Sign up for our free Daily Newsletters and Breaking News Alerts for the Miami Patch.)

The colorful Massimino achieved 816 wins during his 45-year coaching career. "Coach Massimino, best known for his 'family style' coaching, was considered to be one of the greatest college coaches of all time," Keiser said. "Comforted at home by his family, friends, and fellow coaching greats, Coach Massimino tragically succumbed to health-related matters."

Like Miami Patch on Facebook

During his time at Villanova, Coach Massimino could often be seen riding around the suburban Philadelphia campus in a golf cart. A gregarious man, he would stop and say hello to most everyone. He could also be seen picking up litter during his travels throughout the sprawling campus.

Villanova University President Father Peter Donohue told the Wildcat community that the school's legendary coach from 1973 to 1992 was surrounded by family in his Florida home when he passed.

"Coach Massimino won the hearts of the nation during the Wildcats’ 1985 championship run when Villanova, as an eight seed, defeated the heavily favored Georgetown Hoyas in an upset that is widely recognized as one of the greatest in sports history," Donohue recalled. "This may have been his most notable win, however, during Coach Massimino’s tenure here, he led the Wildcats to 357 victories, including 20 in the NCAA Tournament. In addition to the 1985 NCAA title, he led Villanova to Elite Eight appearances in 1978, 1982, 1983 and 1988."

But across the nation, most people will remember Massimino for taking his Cinderella team to college basketball history against the heavily favored Georgetown Hoyas.

"At Keiser University, we knew him for that incredible accomplishment, but also much more. His influence helped his fellow college coaches to be even better leaders," according to Keiser. "He inspired countless college athletes to be their best in the classroom, on the court, and in the community. Most recently, Coach Massimino stood proudly as one of his 2016-2017 players was named Class Valedictorian."

Massimino built what was then the Northwood University basketball program from the bottom up in 2006. The school would later become Keiser University.

"He transformed Seahawks basketball into a national powerhouse in the NAIA, enjoying eight consecutive trips to the national tournament in the program’s short history," Keiser explained. "For his achievements in college basketball, Massimino was elected as a member of the 2013 class of the National Collegiate Basketball Hall of Fame in Kansas City, Missouri."

That was one of many honors that Massimino enjoyed during his coaching career.

"One of his most notable achievements came during the closing hours of the 16-17 season as his Keiser University team notched his 800th career win," Keiser recalled. "Coach Massimino became the 39th coach to record 800 career wins, and just the third active coach in college basketball history, to reach the 800-win plateau and win an NCAA National Championship during their coaching career."

In 1985, Massimino was named National Coach of the Year by MacGregor Sporting Goods and in 1982, he earned Big East Coach of the Year, one of eight times he was honored by the NCAA. In 2011, he was named the NAIA National Coach of the Year and earned the Rawlings National Coach of the Year in 2012.

"He motivated his players with the belief that 'enthusiasm is contagious' and that message reflected Coach Massimino’s view of life," Keiser added. "By giving 100 percent himself, on and off the court, he instilled enthusiasm into everyone around him with ceaseless energy that radiated onto his basketball players."

Villanova is planning a memorial mass in honor of Massimino but details were not immediately available.

Many people took to social media to remember the great coach:

Former Villanova Wildcats head coach Rollie Massimino looks on prior to the 2016 NCAA Men's Final Four National Championship game between the Villanova Wildcats and the North Carolina Tar Heels at NRG Stadium on April 4, 2016 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Images)