Iconic Georgetown Basketball Coach John Thompson Dies At Age 78

GEORGETOWN — Legendary college basketball icon John Thompson Jr., has died at the age of 78.

Thompson was the Georgetown basketball coach who carried his team to the 1984 national championship and also piloted his teams to three Final Four appearances in the 1980s, a decade in which he won seven Big Eight titles.

In addition, he was coach to the 1988 United States national team, which won a bronze medal in the Olympics.

His death was announced by his family through a statement from Georgetown.

“We are heartbroken to share the news of the passing of our father, John Thompson, Jr,” the statement read. “Our father was an inspiration to many and devoted his life to developing young people not simply on, but most importantly, off the basketball court.”