Michigan State Basketball: Legendary coach Jud Heathcote, 90, passes away
Former Michigan State basketball coach Jud Heathcote has passed away at the age of 90, according to the school.
Some unfortunate news came out of East Lansing on Monday night as the school announced via public statement that former Michigan State basketball coach Jud Heathcote passed away.
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The former head coach led the Spartans to their first national title in school history in 1979. He passed away at the age of 90 in Spokane, Wash., where he resides.
MSU Athletics is sad to announce that Jud Heathcote passed away Monday at the age of 90. pic.twitter.com/DHPW6aA5q0
— Michigan State Men's Basketball (@MSU_Basketball) August 29, 2017
Heathcote began his head coaching career in 1971 against Montana and then took the head coaching job at Michigan State. He coached in East Lansing for two decades, putting together a 339-221 record in that time.
The Spartans will be mourning his loss for some time and you can bet Tom Izzo will be coaching in his honor. The two were close as Izzo was an assistant under him. He released a statement following the news of Heathcote’s passing:
“Without a doubt, he was one of the most influential people in my life., giving me a chance when no one else would. Any coaching success I’ve ever had is because of him. Long after he left Michigan State, he was still one of the first people I would call when I had a tough decision in coaching or life.
Michigan State has lost one of its icons today. And yet, nothing can erase his impact on the program, the players he coached and the coaches he mentored. Spartan basketball is what it is today because of Jud Heathcote.”
The Spartans lost a legend today and he will be remembered for all the good he brought to East Lansing.