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Legendary LSU Basketball Coach Dale Brown Dies At 90

By Staff Reporter•Oct 23, 20261:06 pm•

Chuck Cook-USA TODAY Sports

Legendary former LSU men's basketball coach Dale Brown, who transformed the Tigers into a national powerhouse during his 25 seasons in Baton Rouge, passed away Friday at the age of 90.

Brown coached LSU from 1972 to 1997, becoming the winningest coach in program history with 448 victories.

During his remarkable career, Brown led the Tigers to two Final Four appearances (1981 and 1986), four SEC regular-season championships, and 13 NCAA Tournament appearances.

He also coached some of the greatest players in LSU basketball history, including Shaquille O'Neal, Chris Jackson (Mahmoud Abdul-Rauf), and Rudy Macklin.

Known for his passion, energy, and dedication to his players, Brown helped turn LSU basketball into one of the most exciting programs in college basketball.

His accomplishments earned him induction into the National Collegiate Basketball Hall of Fame, the Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame, and the LSU Athletic Hall of Fame.

Just days before his passing, Brown was named the 2027 recipient of the prestigious John R. Wooden Legends of Coaching Award. Former LSU star Shaquille O'Neal delivered a special video message (below) congratulating his longtime coach and mentor on the honor.

Brown's impact on LSU extended far beyond the basketball court, and his legacy will forever be remembered by Tiger fans.

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Originally published on TigerDroppings.com

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Swamp Angel•5 hours

I wrote to him once, when I was a teenager, begging him to PLEEEEEEEASE beat Kentucky in the NCAA tournament after having lost to them 3 times already that season. It was rough being an LSU fan in Kentucky during basketball season during those times.
A few days later I received a packet in the mail addressed in Coach Brown's own handwriting. Inside was the preseason basketball press program for LSU, programs from a couple LSU home games, and some interesting literature regarding LSU sports and the university as a whole, and - a note that simply said, "Marc, we will do our best." And thy did. They beat Kentucky to go to the final four that year.
Decades later, I sent him an email through his website just to say I was thinking of him as I was watching a basketball game. He emailed back and asked for my address, and again, within a couple days, a small hand addressed package arrived in my mailbox with a letter and a book he had recently completed.

He didn't know me from Adam's housecat, but he made me feel like we had been closest friends for many years.

He was a great man who could rightfully walk tall and look everyone he met in the eye. And... he will be greatly missed in my household.

Rest peacefully, Coach Brown.

LsuNav•3 hours

Well said. RIP Coach Brown.

saturncube21•5 hours

RIP Coach

NASA_ISS_Tiger•4 hours

Damn. Another great lost. Rest in Peace Coach. You were definitely one of the greatest to ever coach the sport.

Boyntonbeach Tiger•4 hours

Godspeed Coach.

LSUGOAT2•5 hours

May you RIP my friend

LSUGOAT2•5 hours

And sorry for costing y'all the Final 4 in Philly

TigerNSac•4 hours

Coach Brown will Forever Be Loved. RIP Coach Brown??

TigerNSac•4 hours

RIP Coach Brown!

Spankum•4 hours

Rest in peace, coach…,and thanks for the memories.

Bucky_B•6 hours

Im sorry Shaq!!

CootKilla•6 hours

frick!!!! What a shite year

HurricaneCamille•5 hours

Lost some LSU greats in the last few months. Dale Brown insisted on LSU basketball being relevant. He would not accept anything less. For those who did not know life without Brown as coach, you cannot understand how important games were and how large the crowds were. People cared about LSU basketball. It mattered. Brown made it so.

eugene1928LSU•4 hours

He absolutely Did. Most memorable time for me was when he and Coach Knight almost came to blows.

planotiger•4 hours

AMEN! I was a student when he got there and NOBODY gave a damn about basketball at that time. If I remember correctly, he sold his first team as the Hustlers - and they started getting students to show up for games.

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TexasTiger1970•3 hours

Damnit...RIP Coach.

6R12•3 hours

RIP Coach. He really did love LSU.

Jabontik•58 min

I was at LSU with Shaq and Dale and one day was hanging out at Louie's just outside campus. Dale walks in and sits down with a shorter older guy. I look over and damn if it isn't John Wooden. I wanted to go talk to them but decided to let them enjoy the hash browns.

jp4lsu•2 hours

See ya Coach Brown. I know he meant a great deal to Shaq. Man LSU has lost some Titans the last 6 months. Just wow. Coaches that gave a generation of great Baseball, Basketball, and Football have passed this year.

DeafVallyBatnR•4 hours

1982 me and friend were raising hell about Dale. Because of something to do with Basketball. His older brother and his older brothers friend were about to beat our arse. They were defending Dale. My Friends brothers name is Chris. Dale would in the future call him son in law. God Bless Dale Brown!!!

Jdixon1234•11 min

God Bless family and friends. RIP Coach.

kbartj•5 hours

Is that Elon Musk sitting behind him?

Tiger_n_ATL•59 min

Idiot