History of Denny Crum in Timeline

By Popular Timelines Editorial Team · Updated: March 1, 2025

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.

Sections (3)

Full Timeline Early Life & Education Success & Recognition

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.

2017: Crum Had a Stroke

In 2017, Denny Crum experienced a stroke.

2019: Crum Had another Stroke

In 2019, Denny Crum had a second stroke.

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.

July 2024: Headstone Dumped into Red Sea

In July 2024, it was reported that Denny Crum's handcrafted headstone was dumped into the Red Sea after the ship conveying it from India came under attack from Houthi pirates.