A fellow Italian migrant, a fellow coach, a father figure, a mentor- Lou Carnesecca was all of that and more for Geno Auriemma. But sadly, on November 30, 2024, just weeks away from celebrating his 100th birthday on January 5, Carnesecca passed away, leaving behind an unparalleled legacy in basketball. 

He died in a hospital surrounded by his loving family, including Mary, his wife of an astonishing 73 years, and their daughter, Enes, per reports. St. John’s University shared the heartbreaking news, adding that memorial services will be announced soon.

For the Huskies coach, the loss hits especially hard. “When I was reading all the stories about him, it made me smile,” he said, reflecting on the bittersweet emotions. Though sadness lingered, there was comfort in knowing the culture coach Lou had cultivated all these years. 

Auriemma fondly remembered their last meeting. It was a fleeting but meaningful encounter at a Lab Check Award event in New York City. “I got my picture taken with him again, and I saved it because, you know, I figured—it’s getting to that age.” It was a keepsake of a man who had treated him “like his own grandson” whenever they interacted. He could relate to him more, as both had fathers who didn’t quite understand their decision to pursue coaching, and both found success beyond what they could have imagined. 

Lou wasn’t just about the wins (though there were plenty of those). His real magic was in making people feel seen, appreciated, and capable. New York basketball wouldn’t be the same without Lou Carnesecca. The man didn’t just coach at St. John’s; he turned it into New York’s team. 

“At one point, all the big names in New York high school basketball were going elsewhere,” Huskies HC recalled. “Coach Lou changed that. He kept those kids home, made St. John’s a powerhouse, and gave New York a reason to cheer when the Knicks weren’t doing so well.”

Carnesecca was part of the foundation of the Big East Conference, a basketball powerhouse that shaped the game and even boosted ESPN’s rise with “Big Monday” broadcasts. Alongside legends like Jim Boeheim, John Thompson, and Rollie Massimino, Carnesecca turned the Big East into more than a conference.

He spent 24 seasons at St. John’s, leading the team to 18 NCAA tournament appearances and two Big East tournament titles. He racked up a dazzling 526-300 record and brought the program to its peak with a Final Four appearance in 1985. On the sidelines, he will be known for his animated presence—flailing arms, exasperated expressions, and flying shirttails.

After retiring in 1992, he entered the Hall of Fame the same year. “I never scored a basket,” he said during his induction. “The players did everything. Without them, you can’t have a game.” It was his humility that made him the most cherished among players, fans, fellow coaches, and even media personalities.

Tributes pour in from all over

Howie Rose, the New York Mets’ play-by-play announcer, shared a touching memory from 1973 when he was a nervous college freshman interviewing Carnesecca. “I interviewed Lou after a Nets game for the QC radio station. Looie couldn’t have been nicer, soothing my nerves with a reassuring smile. What a dear, sweet man. RIP,” he wrote on Twitter.

Rose also recounted how Carnesecca essentially “adopted” a young student manager who had lost his parents. Fox Sports’ John Fanta highlighted Carnesecca’s indelible mark on the sport, tweeting, “You cannot tell the story of college basketball—of the Big East—of NYC hoops—without Looie.” Fans, too, took to social media to share their memories. 

For many, he was the hero who shaped their love for the game. He became a symbol of their youth and the golden age of basketball. We join the basketball world in mourning this irreplaceable loss. Rest easy, Coach Looie!