Joe B. Hall coached the University of Kentucky basketball team to a national championship victory in 1978 when the Wildcats defeated Duke in the title game. Taking over for the legendary Adolph Rupp in 1972, he was the head coach at Kentucky until 1985. He won almost 300 games, and led the team to 10 NCAA tournament appearances, three final fours, and a title in 1978. Hall was instrumental in integrating Kentucky basketball, recruiting black players, and hiring Leonard Hamilton as the first black assistant coach at the school.
Coach Joe B. Hall – my friend, my mentor, and an icon in our state and in our profession – passed away this morning. Joe B. Hall took over a program and carried on the winning tradition and legacy of excellence of Kentucky basketball. pic.twitter.com/QirdXnAeMH
Joe B. Hall had a list of coaches he could have added to his staff in 1974. He picked Leonard Hamilton. The man who followed Adolph Rupp at the University of Kentucky in that climate said I’m hiring a Black coach and I don’t care what anyone says. Can’t put a value on that. RIP.
Senior producer, Legacy.com. Dedicated daily to memorializing notable personalities. After work hours guitarist, DJ, record label owner and New York style pizza aficionado.
