RIP Jerry Tarkanian
The college basketball world lost another coaching legend today: Jerry Tarkanian. North Carolina’s Dean Smith passed away over the weekend.
Much like his legendary UNLV Runnin’ Rebel teams, Tarkanian was a bit of a rebel, in his own way. Tark, as he was often called, was unafraid to take on the NCAA and its arguably tyrannical ways when it came to player eligibility. As author Marc Isenberg tweeted today:
RIP Jerry Tarkanian. He was a great advocate for the game and his players. Fearless in his fight to expose the NCAA & all its injustices.
— Marc Isenberg (@marcisenberg) February 11, 2015
Tark showed NCAA selective enforcement, lack of due process. Dean Smith showed NCAA's hypocrisy in profiting from alcohol industry.
— Marc Isenberg (@marcisenberg) February 11, 2015
Always loved Tark bc he was honest about NCAA dishonesty. Fmr Tark asst told me, "Yes, we were breaking NCAA rules but so was every1 else."
— Marc Isenberg (@marcisenberg) February 11, 2015
As The Cauldron’s Andy Glockner tweets:
Any discussion of Tark's legacy also needs to include that he got a $2.5 million settlement from the NCAA. http://t.co/2gBxhag4vg
— Andy Glockner+ (@AndyGlockner) February 11, 2015
Many will weigh in with their thoughts on Tark, including Yahoo Sports’ Dan Wetzel. I can remember those Tark teams. It was like the college version of L.A. Lakers’ “Showtime”. So much talent on one team. Just five guys on the floor having fun. Unless they were playing your team. Then, well, then you hated them. They HAD to be cheating (see Marc Isenberg’s tweet above), right?
But, that talent. Larry Johnson, Stacey Augmon, Greg Anthony and the rest of those Rebels teams. They were Tark. They embodied who he was.
As did those towels…and of course, the chair.
Why was the chair next to #Tark always empty? Here's the story: http://t.co/pepkxHmc4W #RIPTark pic.twitter.com/4VOepj0Fuo
— UNLV (@unlv) February 11, 2015
While his legacy extends beyond Vegas, he became a symbol for all that is Vegas and sports:
Sad news today for our city. #riptark #TarkTheShark pic.twitter.com/Al22dN0wxL
— City of Las Vegas (@CityOfLasVegas) February 11, 2015
The Twitterverse reacted today to the news, as only they could. Here are just a select few of the tweets (and videos) for #RIPTark
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UNLV and MWC Reactions
RIP, Coach #Tark. pic.twitter.com/agvXuO1TYw
— UNLV Athletics (@UNLVathletics) February 11, 2015
Coach Tark was a difference maker to all of us. Life changer. Legend. RIP, Coach Tark. #UnlvFamily
— Dave Rice (@CoachDaveRice) February 11, 2015
As a young Nevadan, my first college basketball memories are of the Rebs’ national championship run. Biting a towel in Tark’s honor.
— Katie Cavender 👩🏻💻 (@KatieCavender) February 11, 2015
The #MW expresses its deepest condolences to UNLV, Fresno State, the Tarkanian family on the loss of coach Tarkanian pic.twitter.com/I9KJlIULJA
— Mountain West (@MountainWest) February 11, 2015
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PLAYER REACTIONS
Heaven is fielding an unbelievable coaching roster, RIP Coach Jerry Tarkanian, one of the best..
— Reggie Miller (@ReggieMillerTNT) February 11, 2015
RIP to 1 of the BEST Coaches, Mentors & Fathers in the World Coach Jerry Tarkanian. Thank u 4 giving Brothas a chance 2 better their lives.
— Tracy Murray (@RealTracyMurray) February 11, 2015
Wouldn't be in the NBA today if it wasn't for you Coach Tarkanian. Thanks for all you did for my family, basketball, and the city of Fresno
— Quincy Pondexter (@QuincyPondexter) February 11, 2015
RIP Coach…. You inspired many. You believed in kids that the world discarded. The hood will never… http://t.co/fXaYGL3X7c
— Chris Webber (@realchriswebber) February 11, 2015
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MEDIA REACTIONS
Remember being sent by CNN-SI to fly to Vegas to get Jerry Tarkanian interview. Found him in first casino I checked. #RIP
— Ed Werder (@EdwerderRFA) February 11, 2015
Larry Johnson talked about Jerry Tarkanian all the time. Years later, I finally met Tark and he nearly cried when he spoke about Larry.
— Frank Isola (@TheFrankIsola) February 11, 2015
All-time favorite Tark quote: "Jim Harrick is ethically as straight as the letter 'S'." Even his rival Harrick chuckled when I relayed that.
— Eric Prisbell (@EricPrisbell) February 11, 2015
Fav Tark story told to me by Howie Landa, one of his assts at UNLV: Tark once paid for a LV dinner w/ a trophy he grabbed from his trunk
— Dave McMenamin (@mcten) February 11, 2015
I used to be Jerry Tarkanian's producer for his radio show in Fresno. My quick story on the type of man he was. RIP. pic.twitter.com/QXdsaFkfo8
— Chris Haynes (@ChrisBHaynes) February 11, 2015
Legendary basketball coach Jerry Tarkanian, seen here at UNLV in 1989, has passed away at the age of 84 #Tark pic.twitter.com/MCEr2veIMr
— Getty Images Sport (@GettySport) February 11, 2015
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WHEN TARK FINALLY MADE THE HALL
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FAMILY TWEETS
Coach Tark, my father, the greatest man I have ever known, passed today, to take his place in heaven. I will miss him every day of my life.
— Danny Tarkanian (@DannyTarkanian) February 11, 2015
Special thanks to Pastor, and former Rebel, Richard Box for providing family with special prayers and blessings these past 2 days
— Danny Tarkanian (@DannyTarkanian) February 11, 2015
Special thanks to Pastor, and former Rebel, Richard Box for providing family with special prayers and blessings these past 2 days
— Danny Tarkanian (@DannyTarkanian) February 11, 2015
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A FITTING TRIBUTE FROM UNLV
A video tribute to our school's greatest figure. #RIPTark https://t.co/NOdRflp3Uq
— UNLV Athletics (@UNLVathletics) February 11, 2015
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