Coaching great John Thompson of Georgetown dead at 78
FILE - In this March 9, 2013, file photo, former Georgetown coach John Thompson Jr., left, congratulates his son Georgetown head coach John Thompson III, right, after the Hoya's 61-39 win over Syracuse in an NCAA college basketball game in Washington. John Thompson, the imposing Hall of Famer who turned Georgetown into a “Hoya Paranoia” powerhouse and became the first Black coach to lead a team to the NCAA men’s basketball championship, has died. He was 78 His death was announced in a family statement Monday., Aug. 31, 2020. No details were disclosed. (AP Photo/Nick Wass, File)

FILE - In this March 9, 2013, file photo, former Georgetown coach John Thompson Jr., left, congratulates his son Georgetown head coach John Thompson III, right, after the Hoya's 61-39 win over Syracuse in an NCAA college basketball game in Washington. John Thompson, the imposing Hall of Famer who turned Georgetown into a “Hoya Paranoia” powerhouse and became the first Black coach to lead a team to the NCAA men’s basketball championship, has died. He was 78 His death was announced in a family statement Monday., Aug. 31, 2020. No details were disclosed. (AP Photo/Nick Wass, File)

Aug. 31, 2020 10:14 AM EDT
FILE - In this April 2, 1984, file photo, Georgetown head coach John Thompson, left, gives a happy pat to the most valuable player Patrick Ewing, after Georgetown defeated Houston 84-75 in Seattle. John Thompson, the imposing Hall of Famer who turned Georgetown into a “Hoya Paranoia” powerhouse and became the first Black coach to lead a team to the NCAA men’s basketball championship, has died. He was 78 His death was announced in a family statement Monday., Aug. 31, 2020. No details were disclosed.(AP Photo/File)

FILE - In this April 2, 1984, file photo, Georgetown head coach John Thompson, left, gives a happy pat to the most valuable player Patrick Ewing, after Georgetown defeated Houston 84-75 in Seattle. John Thompson, the imposing Hall of Famer who turned Georgetown into a “Hoya Paranoia” powerhouse and became the first Black coach to lead a team to the NCAA men’s basketball championship, has died. He was 78 His death was announced in a family statement Monday., Aug. 31, 2020. No details were disclosed.(AP Photo/File)

Aug. 31, 2020 10:14 AM EDT
FILE - In this April 5, 2017, file photo, former Georgetown coach John Thompson listens during an NCAA college basketball press conference to formally announce Georgetown's new basketball head coach Patrick Ewing, in Washington. John Thompson, the imposing Hall of Famer who turned Georgetown into a “Hoya Paranoia” powerhouse and became the first Black coach to lead a team to the NCAA men’s basketball championship, has died. He was 78 His death was announced in a family statement Monday., Aug. 31, 2020. No details were disclosed.(AP Photo/Nick Wass, File)

FILE - In this April 5, 2017, file photo, former Georgetown coach John Thompson listens during an NCAA college basketball press conference to formally announce Georgetown's new basketball head coach Patrick Ewing, in Washington. John Thompson, the imposing Hall of Famer who turned Georgetown into a “Hoya Paranoia” powerhouse and became the first Black coach to lead a team to the NCAA men’s basketball championship, has died. He was 78 His death was announced in a family statement Monday., Aug. 31, 2020. No details were disclosed.(AP Photo/Nick Wass, File)

Aug. 31, 2020 10:13 AM EDT
FILE - In this March 30, 1985, file photo, Georgetown coach John Thompson shouts to the floor during the Hova's NCAA semifinal game against St. John's at Rudo Arena in Lexington, Ky. John Thompson, the imposing Hall of Famer who turned Georgetown into a “Hoya Paranoia” powerhouse and became the first Black coach to lead a team to the NCAA men’s basketball championship, has died. He was 78 His death was announced in a family statement Monday., Aug. 31, 2020. No details were disclosed. (AP Photo/File)

FILE - In this March 30, 1985, file photo, Georgetown coach John Thompson shouts to the floor during the Hova's NCAA semifinal game against St. John's at Rudo Arena in Lexington, Ky. John Thompson, the imposing Hall of Famer who turned Georgetown into a “Hoya Paranoia” powerhouse and became the first Black coach to lead a team to the NCAA men’s basketball championship, has died. He was 78 His death was announced in a family statement Monday., Aug. 31, 2020. No details were disclosed. (AP Photo/File)

Aug. 31, 2020 10:15 AM EDT
CORRECTS THAT THE GAME WAS AGAINST ST. JOHNS FOR THE BIG EAST CHAMPIONSHIP, NOT AGAINST HOUSTON FOR THE NCAA CHAMPIONSHIP - FILE - In this March 9, 1985, file photo, Georgetown NCAA college basketball head coach John Thompson poses with player Patrick Ewing after Georgetown defeated St. John's in the Big East Championship in New York. John Thompson, the imposing Hall of Famer who turned Georgetown into a “Hoya Paranoia” powerhouse and became the first Black coach to lead a team to the NCAA men’s basketball championship, has died. He was 78 His death was announced in a family statement Monday., Aug. 31, 2020. No details were disclosed.(AP Photo/File)

CORRECTS THAT THE GAME WAS AGAINST ST. JOHNS FOR THE BIG EAST CHAMPIONSHIP, NOT AGAINST HOUSTON FOR THE NCAA CHAMPIONSHIP - FILE - In this March 9, 1985, file photo, Georgetown NCAA college basketball head coach John Thompson poses with player Patrick Ewing after Georgetown defeated St. John's in the Big East Championship in New York. John Thompson, the imposing Hall of Famer who turned Georgetown into a “Hoya Paranoia” powerhouse and became the first Black coach to lead a team to the NCAA men’s basketball championship, has died. He was 78 His death was announced in a family statement Monday., Aug. 31, 2020. No details were disclosed.(AP Photo/File)

Aug. 31, 2020 10:24 AM EDT
FILE - In this March 1, 1980, file photo, Georgetown University basketball coach John Thompson raises his hands in victory after fans placed the net around his neck in Providence, R.I., after Georgetown defeated Syracuse University 87-81 to win the Big East basketball championship. John Thompson, the imposing Hall of Famer who turned Georgetown into a “Hoya Paranoia” powerhouse and became the first Black coach to lead a team to the NCAA men’s basketball championship, has died. He was 78 His death was announced in a family statement Monday., Aug. 31, 2020. No details were disclosed.(Anestis Diakopoulos/Providence Journal via AP, FIle)

FILE - In this March 1, 1980, file photo, Georgetown University basketball coach John Thompson raises his hands in victory after fans placed the net around his neck in Providence, R.I., after Georgetown defeated Syracuse University 87-81 to win the Big East basketball championship. John Thompson, the imposing Hall of Famer who turned Georgetown into a “Hoya Paranoia” powerhouse and became the first Black coach to lead a team to the NCAA men’s basketball championship, has died. He was 78 His death was announced in a family statement Monday., Aug. 31, 2020. No details were disclosed.(Anestis Diakopoulos/Providence Journal via AP, FIle)

Aug. 31, 2020 10:12 AM EDT