Joe B. Hall facts for kids
Hall in 2016
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| Biographical details | |
|---|---|
| Born | November 30, 1928 Cynthiana, Kentucky, U.S. |
| Died | January 15, 2022 (aged 93) Lexington, Kentucky, U.S. |
| Playing career | |
| 1948–1949 | Kentucky |
| 1949–1951 | Sewanee |
| Coaching career (HC unless noted) | |
| 1959–1964 | Regis |
| 1964–1965 | Central Missouri |
| 1965–1972 | Kentucky (assistant) |
| 1972–1985 | Kentucky |
| Head coaching record | |
| Overall | 373–156 |
| Accomplishments and honors | |
| Championships | |
| NCAA Division I tournament (1978) 3 NCAA Division I Regional—Final Four (1975, 1978, 1984) NIT (1976) MIAA regular season (1965) 8 SEC regular season (1973, 1975, 1977, 1978, 1980, 1982–1984) SEC tournament (1984) |
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| Awards | |
| National Coach of the Year (1978) 4× SEC Coach of the Year (1973, 1975, 1978, 1983) |
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| College Basketball Hall of Fame Inducted in 2012 |
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Joe Beasman Hall (born November 30, 1928 – died January 15, 2022) was a very successful American college basketball coach. He is most famous for being the head coach of the Kentucky Wildcats men's basketball team from 1972 to 1985. During his time, he led the Wildcats to win a national championship in 1978, which is a huge achievement in college sports!
Contents
Early Life and Playing Days
Joe B. Hall was born in Cynthiana, Kentucky. He started his basketball journey playing for one year at the University of Kentucky. After that, he moved to Sewanee: The University of the South to continue playing.
Even though he finished his college basketball career at Sewanee, he didn't graduate from there. Later, he got to travel and play with the famous Harlem Globetrotters. After his time with them, he returned to the University of Kentucky and finished his college degree in 1955.
Coaching Career Highlights
Before becoming the head coach at Kentucky, Joe B. Hall coached at other colleges. He led teams at Central Missouri State College (now the University of Central Missouri) and Regis University. In 1965, he came back to the University of Kentucky to work as an assistant coach under the legendary coach Adolph Rupp.
Taking Over the Wildcats
When Coach Rupp retired in 1972, Joe B. Hall was chosen to be the new head coach. This was a big moment! When he took the job, he made it clear that he wanted to recruit black players to the team. Before him, only a few black players had been part of the program.
Leading Kentucky to Victory
Coach Hall had an amazing career at Kentucky. His overall record there was 297 wins and 100 losses. Across his entire coaching career, he had 373 wins and 156 losses.
His biggest achievement was leading the Wildcats to win the NCAA national championship in 1978. This was the fifth national title for the Kentucky Wildcats.
He also guided the team to other major successes:
- They were the runner-up in the 1975 NCAA tournament.
- They reached the Final Four in the 1984 NCAA tournament.
- They won the NIT championship in 1976.
Coach Hall also led his teams to win eight SEC regular season championships. He also won one Southeastern Conference tournament championship.
Awards and Recognition
Because of his great coaching, Joe B. Hall received many awards. He was named the National Coach of the Year in 1978. He also won the SEC Coach of the Year award four times.
In 2012, the University of Kentucky honored him with a special statue. This bronze sculpture was placed outside the Wildcat Coal Lodge to celebrate his achievements.
Later Life and Legacy
After retiring from coaching, Joe B. Hall stayed involved in basketball. He co-hosted a radio sports talk show called The Joe B. and Denny Show. He hosted it with another famous basketball coach, Denny Crum from the University of Louisville. The show ran for about ten years, from 2004 to 2014.
Joe B. Hall passed away at his home in Lexington, Kentucky, on January 15, 2022. He was 93 years old. He is remembered as a key figure in the history of Kentucky basketball and a great coach who inspired many.
See also
- List of NCAA Division I Men's Final Four appearances by coach
