History of Denny Crum in Timeline
Denny Crum was a highly successful American college basketball coach at the University of Louisville from 1971-2001. His impressive 675-295 record includes leading the Cardinals to two NCAA championships and six Final Four appearances. A Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame inductee (1994), Crum is remembered as a significant figure in Kentucky sports and a major influence on the landscape of college basketball.
March 2, 1937: Denzel Edwin Crum Born
On March 2, 1937, Denzel Edwin Crum was born. He would later become a celebrated college basketball coach.
1955: Graduation from San Fernando High School
In 1955, Denny Crum graduated from San Fernando High School and began playing basketball at Los Angeles Pierce College.
1957: Transfer to UCLA
In 1957, Denny Crum transferred to the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) to play basketball for the Bruins.
1959: Louisville's Last Final Four Appearance
By 1959, Louisville's last Final Four appearance had taken place.
1959: End of Playing Career at UCLA
In 1959, Denny Crum concluded his playing career at UCLA, having averaged seven points per game.
1959: Freshman Basketball Coach at UCLA
In 1959, after graduating from UCLA, Denny Crum began his coaching career as the freshman basketball coach at UCLA.
1961: Assistant Coach at Pierce College
In 1961, Denny Crum returned to Pierce College as an assistant coach.
1964: Head Coach at Pierce College
From 1964, Denny Crum served as the head coach at Pierce College.
1968: Louisville's Last NCAA Tournament Appearance
By 1968, the Louisville Cardinals' last NCAA tournament appearance had taken place.
1968: Return to UCLA as Assistant Coach
In 1968, Denny Crum was rehired by UCLA as an assistant coach and chief recruiter.
1971: Crum became coach at Louisville
In 1971, Denny Crum began his tenure as the head coach at the University of Louisville.
1971: Hired as Head Coach by University of Louisville
In 1971, Denny Crum was hired as the head coach by the University of Louisville, succeeding John Dromo.
1975: Final Four Appearance
In 1975, Denny Crum led the Louisville Cardinals to the Final Four, where they lost to UCLA.
1977: Gold Medal at World University Games
In 1977, Denny Crum coached the U.S. World University team to a gold medal.
1979: Darrell Griffith led Cardinals
In 1979, Darrell Griffith led the Cardinals to a 33-3 record.
1979: Metro Conference Coach of the Year
In 1979, Denny Crum was awarded Metro Conference Coach of the year.
1980: "Doctors of Dunk"
In 1980, Crum's national championship team was known as the "Doctors of Dunk."
1980: Final Four Appearance
In 1980, Denny Crum led the Louisville Cardinals to the Final Four.
1980: First NCAA Championship
In 1980, Denny Crum led the Louisville Cardinals to their first NCAA championship.
1980: National Coach of the Year
In 1980, Denny Crum was named National Coach of the Year and Metro Conference Coach of the Year.
1982: Final Four Appearance
In 1982, Denny Crum led the Louisville Cardinals to the Final Four.
1983: Final Four Appearance
In 1983, Denny Crum led the Louisville Cardinals to the Final Four.
1983: National Coach of the Year
In 1983, Denny Crum was named National Coach of the Year and Metro Conference Coach of the Year.
1986: Last National Championship
In 1986, Crum won his last national championship before the three-point line was introduced.
1986: Final Four Appearance
In 1986, Denny Crum led the Louisville Cardinals to the Final Four.
1986: National Coach of the Year
In 1986, Denny Crum was named National Coach of the Year for the third time.
1987: Silver Medal at Pan American Games
In 1987, Denny Crum led the American team to a silver medal at the Pan American Games.
1988: Turned Down UCLA Offer
In 1988, Denny Crum received and declined another offer to return to UCLA.
1990: Inducted into UCLA Athletics Hall of Fame
In 1990, Denny Crum was inducted into the UCLA Athletics Hall of Fame.
1993: Reached 500 Wins
In 1993, Denny Crum became the second-fastest coach to reach 500 career wins.
1994: Inducted into Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame
In 1994, Denny Crum was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame.
1997: Elite Eight Appearance
In 1997, Crum's team reached the Elite Eight, marking his closest return to the Final Four after the introduction of the three-point line.
2001: Marriage to Susan Sweeney
In 2001, Denny Crum married Susan Sweeney.
2001: Crum's Retirement
In 2001, Denny Crum retired from his position as head coach at the University of Louisville.
2001: Retirement Announcement
In 2001, on his 64th birthday, Denny Crum announced that he would retire at the end of the season.
2002: Received Legends of Coaching Award
In 2002, Denny Crum received the Legends of Coaching award given by the John R. Wooden Award Committee.
2004: Co-hosted Radio Show
In 2004, Denny Crum began co-hosting a local radio talk show with Joe B. Hall.
2006: Susan Sweeney became an announcer
In 2006, Susan Sweeney became an announcer and news anchor at Louisville public radio station WFPL.
February 7, 2007: Denny Crum Court at Freedom Hall
On February 7, 2007, Louisville's home floor at Freedom Hall was officially named "Denny Crum Court."
2010: Inductee of Pierce College's athletic hall of fame
In 2010, Crum was an inaugural inductee of Pierce College's athletic hall of fame.
2010: "Denny Crum Court" was retained
In 2010, the name "Denny Crum Court" was retained in the new facility.
October 30, 2014: End of "The Joe B. and Denny Show"
On October 30, 2014, "The Joe B. and Denny Show" ended due to a format change at WVLK-FM.
May 9, 2023: Denny Crum's Death
On May 9, 2023, Denny Crum, the celebrated college basketball coach, passed away.
May 15, 2023: Celebration of Life
On May 15, 2023, a celebration of life was held for Denny Crum at the KFC Yum! Center.
