The basketball world has lost a giant. Lou Carnesecca, the Hall of Fame coach who transformed St. John’s University into a powerhouse of college basketball, passed away peacefully Saturday afternoon at the age of 99.

Known for his raspy voice, larger-than-life personality, and, of course, his infamous “lucky” sweaters, Carnesecca’s impact on the sport spanned generations. He would have turned 100 on January 5.

Carnesecca, the son of Italian immigrants, grew up in East Harlem where his father, Alfred, ran a modest grocery store. Basketball wasn’t part of the family’s vision. His father often urged him to “be a doctor” and “be a somebody.” Yet, Lou’s heart belonged to sports, a passion that began in the playgrounds of Manhattan and never waned.

A 1950 graduate of St. John’s, Carnesecca returned to his alma mater in 1965 as head coach after a brief stint with the ABA’s New York Nets. Over a 24-year career, he led the Redmen—later renamed the Red Storm—to 526 victories and 18 NCAA Tournament appearances. His crowning achievement came in 1985 when he guided St. John’s to the Final Four, alongside fellow Big East titans Georgetown and Villanova.

His style? Relentless defense, quick offense, and a deep connection with his players. “Coach Carnesecca was like a second father to us,” said NBA Hall of Famer Chris Mullin, who played under Carnesecca during that magical Final Four season. “He taught us not just how to win, but how to live with integrity.”

Carnesecca’s coaching legacy is forever linked to a piece of clothing. In 1985, while battling a cold, he grabbed a garish red, blue, and brown sweater gifted to him by the coach of Italy’s women’s national team. He wore it during a game against Pittsburgh, and the team went on a winning streak that carried them deep into the NCAA Tournament. The sweater became legendary—and so did Carnesecca.

“I took a lot of heat for that sweater,” he once joked. “People said it looked like a kindergarten painting. But hey, we kept winning.”

The infamous sweater now resides in the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame, alongside Carnesecca himself, who was inducted in 1992.

Carnesecca’s brief venture into professional basketball with the New York Nets from 1970 to 1973 ended with a 114-138 record. He openly admitted the NBA wasn’t for him. “I’m a teacher, not a pro coach,” he wrote in his autobiography Louie in Season. “The pro game is about talent. No Rick Barry, no wins. College? That’s about heart, about building young men.”

When he left the Nets, there was no guarantee he would return to St. John’s. “For all I knew, I’d be slicing salami in my dad’s deli again,” he once quipped. But St. John’s welcomed him back with open arms, and the rest is history.

Despite his success, Carnesecca remained humble. “I don’t do anything,” he said in a 1991 interview. “If I could coach, I’d have my guys score every time. It’s the players. They win the games.”

And win they did. Players like Mark Jackson, Jayson Williams, Bill Wennington, and the late Malik Sealy credited him for shaping their careers. Former New York Governor Mario Cuomo, a childhood friend and one-time baseball teammate, described him as “a master motivator with the heart of a teacher.”

Carnesecca’s deep Catholic faith was a cornerstone of his life. When asked in 2021 about facing mortality, he responded with characteristic grace. “I pray to the Blessed Mother for strength and courage. It’s out of my hands. I can’t call timeout.”

Even after retiring in 1992, Carnesecca remained a fixture on the St. John’s campus, attending games until 2022 and mentoring players and coaches alike. His influence extended beyond the court, embodying the spirit of the university itself.

Lou Carnesecca is survived by Mary, his wife of 73 years, and their daughter, Enes. His father, who once urged him to pursue a career in medicine, quietly watched his son’s games from the stands, beaming with pride.

“He never told me,” Carnesecca recalled. “But he was there. Every game. My father—the man who thought sports were a waste of time—was proud of me.”

A memorial service will be held at St. John’s University. As the basketball world mourns, one thing is certain: Lou Carnesecca’s legacy isn’t just about the wins or the sweaters—it’s about the lives he touched and the game he elevated.

“I’ve had a ball,” he once said. “And I wouldn’t trade it for all the salami in the world.”