Temple assistant men’s basketball coach Bill Courtney died suddenly Tuesday, the university announced. Courtney was 55.

The university did not offer a cause of death.

“I am shocked and heartbroken by the tragic news and passing of my close friend Bill Courtney,” Temple head coach Adam Fisher said in a statement. “Bill made such a big impact on our program in such a short time. He was one of the most respected coaches in the country — thoughtful, prepared, and deeply committed to the game and to winning the right way.

“Bill made every program he touched better, and his loss is felt profoundly by everyone who knew him. Our thoughts and prayers go out to Bill’s family during this extremely difficult time.”

Courtney, who joined Temple’s staff this offseason, has long been one of the most respected assistant coaches in college basketball. Before his time with the Owls, Courtney spent five seasons with Miami (Fla.), even serving as the interim head coach last season after Jim Larrañaga’s retirement in December 2024.

Courtney was an integral part of Miami’s first Final Four appearance in program history in 2023.

However, his experience went well beyond the ACC, where he also served as an assistant with Virginia and Virginia Tech.

A star guard at Bucknell from 1988 to 1992, Courtney was an assistant at American, Bowling Green, George Mason (also with Larrañaga), Providence and DePaul during a coaching career that spanned over three decades.

We’re devastated to learn of the passing of Bucknell Athletics Hall-of-Famer and a Bison hoops legend Bill Courtney ’92. Our deepest condolences to Bill’s family and the Temple basketball program. https://t.co/a8LoveFkvA pic.twitter.com/rcwnjadMho

— Bucknell MBasketball (@Bucknell_MBB) January 13, 2026

Courtney also served as Cornell’s head coach from 2010 to 2016, going 60-113 in six seasons.

“I was shocked and saddened to learn of the sudden passing of coach Bill Courtney,” Temple athletic director Arthur Johnson said. “In the short time that he has been part of the Temple family, I saw the impact that he had on our program with the joy that exuded from him on and off the court.

“He will be missed by his immediate family, his Temple basketball family and the greater basketball community.”

Temple (11-5, 3-0 American) plays Memphis in a conference game on Wednesday night.