Denzel Edwin Crum, a prominent figure in college basketball history, served as the head coach for the University of Louisville men's basketball team from 1971 to 2001. His impressive 675-295 record includes two NCAA championships and six Final Four appearances. A member of the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame since 1994, Crum's legacy deeply impacted both Kentucky sports and college basketball overall.
March 2, 1937: Birth of Denny Crum
Denny Crum was born on March 2, 1937.
1955: Denny Crum graduates high school and starts college
Denny Crum graduated from San Fernando High School and began playing college basketball at Los Angeles Pierce College in 1955.
1957: Denny Crum transfers to UCLA
Denny Crum transferred to UCLA to play for the Bruins in 1957.
1959: Denny Crum starts coaching career at UCLA
Denny Crum began his coaching career as the freshman basketball coach at UCLA in 1959.
1959: Denny Crum graduates from UCLA
Denny Crum graduated from UCLA in 1959.
1959: Louisville's last Final Four appearance before Crum
The University of Louisville's last Final Four appearance before Denny Crum's arrival was in 1959.
1961: Denny Crum returns to Pierce College as assistant coach
Denny Crum returned to Pierce College as an assistant coach in 1961.
1964: Denny Crum becomes head coach at Pierce College
Denny Crum became the head coach at Pierce College in 1964.
1968: Denny Crum returns to UCLA as assistant coach
Denny Crum returned to UCLA as an assistant coach under John Wooden in 1968.
1968: Louisville's last NCAA tournament appearance before Crum
The University of Louisville's last NCAA tournament appearance before Denny Crum's arrival was in 1968.
1971: Denny Crum hired as head coach at Louisville
Denny Crum was hired as the head coach at the University of Louisville in 1971.
1971: Denny Crum becomes head coach at University of Louisville
In 1971, Denny Crum began his tenure as head coach at the University of Louisville.
1975: Louisville reaches Final Four
Denny Crum led Louisville to the Final Four in 1975.
1977: Crum coaches US team to gold medal
Denny Crum coached the U.S. World University team to a gold medal in 1977.
1979: Denny Crum named Metro Conference Coach of the Year
Denny Crum was named Metro Conference Coach of the Year in 1979.
1979: Start of 1979-80 season
The 1979-80 basketball season, in which Louisville won the NCAA championship, began in 1979.
1980: Louisville reaches Final Four
Denny Crum led Louisville to the Final Four in 1980.
1980: Denny Crum wins first NCAA Championship
Denny Crum led the Louisville Cardinals to their first NCAA Championship in 1980.
1980: Denny Crum named National Coach of the Year
Denny Crum was named National Coach of the Year in 1980.
1980: "Doctors of Dunk" win championship
Denny Crum's 1980 national championship team, known as the "Doctors of Dunk," won the title.
1980: Louisville wins NCAA Championship
Louisville, led by Darrell Griffith, won the NCAA Championship in 1980.
1982: Louisville reaches Final Four
Denny Crum led Louisville to the Final Four in 1982.
1983: Louisville reaches Final Four
Denny Crum led Louisville to the Final Four in 1983.
1983: Denny Crum named National Coach of the Year
Denny Crum was named National Coach of the Year in 1983.
1986: NCAA introduces three-point line
The NCAA introduced the three-point line in 1986, a year after Crum's last national championship.
1986: Denny Crum wins second NCAA Championship
Denny Crum led the Louisville Cardinals to their second NCAA Championship in 1986.
1986: Denny Crum named National Coach of the Year
Denny Crum was named National Coach of the Year in 1986.
1986: Louisville reaches Final Four
Denny Crum led Louisville to the Final Four in 1986.
1987: Crum coaches Pan American team to silver medal
Denny Crum coached the American's Pan American team to a silver medal in 1987.
1988: Denny Crum receives offer from UCLA
Denny Crum received an offer to coach at UCLA in 1988.
1990: Induction into UCLA Athletics Hall of Fame
In 1990, Denny Crum was inducted into the UCLA Athletics Hall of Fame.
1993: Denny Crum reaches 500 wins
Denny Crum became the second-fastest coach to reach 500 wins in 1993.
1994: Induction into Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame
Denny Crum was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 1994, and John Wooden joined him on stage for the ceremony.
1994: Denny Crum inducted into Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame
Denny Crum was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 1994.
1997: Louisville reaches Elite Eight
Denny Crum's Louisville team reached the Elite Eight in 1997.
2001: Denny Crum announces retirement
Denny Crum announced his retirement from coaching on his 64th birthday in 2001.
2001: Denny Crum marries Susan Sweeney Crum
Denny Crum married Susan Sweeney Crum in 2001.
2001: Denny Crum retires from coaching
Denny Crum retired from coaching in 2001.
2002: Legends of Coaching Award
Denny Crum received the Legends of Coaching award from the John R. Wooden Award Committee in 2002. The award recognizes coaching character, on-court success, student athlete graduation rates, and coaching philosophy.
2004: "The Joe B. and Denny Show" begins
Denny Crum began co-hosting "The Joe B. and Denny Show" with Joe B. Hall in 2004.
2006: Susan Sweeney Crum becomes announcer at WFPL
Susan Sweeney Crum became an announcer and news anchor at WFPL in 2006.
February 7, 2007: Freedom Hall Court Naming
On February 7, 2007, the home court at Freedom Hall in Louisville was officially named "Denny Crum Court."
2010: Pierce College Athletic Hall of Fame Induction
In 2010, Denny Crum was inducted into the Pierce College Athletic Hall of Fame as part of the inaugural class.
2010: KFC Yum! Center Court Naming
When the Cardinals moved to the KFC Yum! Center in 2010, the court retained the name "Denny Crum Court."
October 30, 2014: End of "The Joe B. and Denny Show"
"The Joe B. and Denny Show," co-hosted by Denny Crum and Joe B. Hall, ended on October 30, 2014.
2017: Denny Crum suffers stroke
Denny Crum suffered a stroke in 2017.
2019: Denny Crum suffers another stroke
Denny Crum suffered another stroke in 2019.
May 9, 2023: Death of Denny Crum
Denny Crum passed away on May 9, 2023.
May 15, 2023: Celebration of life for Denny Crum
A celebration of life for Denny Crum was held on May 15, 2023.
July 2024: Denny Crum's headstone lost at sea
Denny Crum's headstone was reportedly lost at sea in July 2024.