John Thompson spoke truth to power 'when it was hard to do'

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)

FILE - In this Jan. 24, 1996, file photo, Georgetown head coach John Thompson talks to Allen Iverson during an NCAA college basketball game against St. John's, in Landover, Md. Thompson, the imposing Hall of Famer who turned Georgetown into a basketball powerhouse and became the first Black coach to lead a team to the NCAA men’s title, has died at age 78, his family announced through the university, Monday, Aug. 31, 2020. (Porter Binks/USA Today via AP, File)

FILE - In this Jan. 24, 1996, file photo, Georgetown head coach John Thompson talks to Allen Iverson during an NCAA college basketball game against St. John's, in Landover, Md. Thompson, the imposing Hall of Famer who turned Georgetown into a basketball powerhouse and became the first Black coach to lead a team to the NCAA men’s title, has died at age 78, his family announced through the university, Monday, Aug. 31, 2020. (Porter Binks/USA Today via AP, File)

FILE - In this March 15, 1996, file photo, Georgetown head coach John Thompson yells to his players during the second half of a first round NCAA college basketball game at the Richmond Coliseum in Richmond, Va. 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/Doug Mills, 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)

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)