Temple assistant men\u2019s basketball coach Bill Courtney died suddenly Tuesday, the university announced. Courtney was 55.<\/p>\n
The university did not offer a cause of death.<\/p>\n
\u201cI am shocked and heartbroken by the tragic news and passing of my close friend Bill Courtney,\u201d Temple head coach Adam Fisher said in a statement. \u201cBill made such a big impact on our program in such a short time. He was one of the most respected coaches in the country \u2014 thoughtful, prepared, and deeply committed to the game and to winning the right way.<\/p>\n
\u201cBill 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\u2019s family during this extremely difficult time.\u201d<\/p>\n
Courtney, who joined Temple\u2019s 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 Larra\u00f1aga\u2019s retirement in December 2024<\/a>.<\/p>\n Courtney was an integral part of Miami\u2019s first Final Four appearance in program history in 2023.<\/p>\n However, his experience went well beyond the ACC, where he also served as an assistant with Virginia and Virginia Tech.<\/p>\n A star guard at Bucknell from 1988 to 1992, Courtney was an assistant at American, Bowling Green, George Mason (also with Larra\u00f1aga), Providence and DePaul during a coaching career that spanned over three decades.<\/p>\n 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<\/a> pic.twitter.com\/rcwnjadMho<\/a><\/p>\n