On July 25, the college basketball world received the news that former Illinois, Hardin-Simmons and New Mexico State head coach Lou Henson passed away at the age of 88 at his home in Champaign. Known for his bright orange blazer and warm, glowing personality on and off the court, Henson brightened the lives of anyone fortunate enough to be graced with his presence. Though his list of achievements at Illinois is rather lengthy, let’s take a look back at some of the former Illini coach’s most memorable moments.

Henson appointed Illini head coach (4/5/1975)

Following the 1974-75 season, in which the Illini finished last in the Big Ten with a 4-14 conference record (8-18 overall), head coach Gene Bartow departed to take over for legendary coach John Wooden at UCLA. The Illini needed help both on and off the court, with the basketball environment in Champaign-Urbana far below the standards set at other Big Ten institutions. Henson, who led New Mexico State to the Final Four in 1970, emerged as one of the frontrunners for the position after turning around the Aggie program. On April 5, 1975, Henson officially moved to Illinois, becoming the 13th head coach in the program’s history.

Illinois snatches last-second victory over No. 1 Michigan State, Magic Johnson (1/11/1979)

The Illini entered the 1978-79 season with low expectations; the team went 13-14 the previous season, including a run of seven losses from their final nine games. Losing two top players to the NBA, Audie Matthews and Rich Adams, the Illini had the odds stacked against them. The team, however, was unphased and knocked off No. 8 Syracuse and No. 7 Texas A&M in early season matchups. The Illini’s first true Big Ten test came against the Spartans of Michigan State, who boasted the likes of Magic Johnson and Greg Kelser, two of the eventual top-4 picks in the 1979 NBA Draft. Illinois battled to tie the game with less than 10 seconds to go, and sophomore Eddie Johnson drilled a 15-footer to lead the underdog Illini to a victory over the Spartans, 57-55. Illinois would miss out on the NCAA Tournament that season, while Michigan State went on to win the national championship.

1984 Illini win share of Big Ten conference title for the first time since 1963 (3/10/1984)

After nine seasons with the Illini, Henson turned the worst team in the Big Ten into the best. Illinois finished with a 15-3 conference record and earned a share of the Big Ten Championship with Purdue (note: the Big Ten Tournament did not begin until 1998). During these nine seasons, the Illini had four 20-win seasons and only one where the team finished below .500. 

Illinois earns first-ever No. 1 ranking after defeating Georgia Tech (1/22/1989)

During one of the program’s most successful seasons, Henson guided Illinois to their first-ever No. 1 ranking. The Illini entered the year with a preseason ranking of ninth in the country and went into the matchup with the Yellow Jackets as the nation’s second-best team. In a back-and-forth game at Assembly Hall, Kenny Battle and Kendall Gill helped Illinois edge Georgia Tech 103-92 in double overtime. The Illini didn’t lose a single home game that season.

“Flyin’ Illini” advance to Final Four with win over Syracuse (3/26/1989)

With a team that boasted five future NBA players, the Illini entered the NCAA Tournament as a 1-seed in the Midwest Region. Victories over McNeese State, Ball State and Louisville set up a date with Syracuse in the Elite Eight with a trip to Seattle for the Final Four on the line. The Orange entered the game with six future NBA players, including 1990 first overall pick Derrick Coleman, and three victories over top-10 teams under the belt. Down by seven at halftime, the Illini found another gear in the second half, winning 89-86 behind a 24-point, 16-rebound performance from junior Nick Anderson and 28 points from Battle. The trip to the Final Four was the fourth in program history and their first since 1952. Illinois would fall to eventual champions Michigan, 83-81, in their next game. 

Henson passes Harry Combes as winningest Illini coach (11/23/1990)

At the end of the team’s 1989-90 campaign, Henson was tied with former Illini coach Harry Combes for most wins in program history with 316 following a victory at Big Ten rival Indiana. Though the team lost three players to the NBA Draft—Gill, Stephen Bardo and Marcus Liberty—the 1990-91 Illini squad still boasted the likes of Deon Thomas and Andy Kaufmann. The team’s first game of the season came in the San Juan Shootout, a preseason tournament played in Puerto Rico, against American University. With the 103-84 victory over the Eagles, Henson passed Combes on the win list to become the winningest coach in Illinois basketball history, an honor he still holds to this day.

Kaufmann hits 3-pointer at the buzzer, fans storm court as Illinois defeats Iowa (2/4/1993)

“They get it to Andy, he launches a 3… it’s good! It’s good! It’s good! Illinois win! Illinois win! Illinois win! It’s unbelievable!” Down by two with 1.5 seconds left in one of the most memorable Iowa-Illinois games ever, junior T.J. Wheeler heaved a half-court pass to Kaufmann, who drilled the shot from beyond the arc to take the unranked Illini past the No. 9 Hawkeyes, 78-77. Henson went on to win his only Big Ten Coach of the Year award following the season.

Andy Kaufmann Buzzer Beater Illinois vs. Iowa | 2/4/93

Andy Kaufmann hit a three-pointer as time expired to give Illinois a 78-77 win over Iowa at Assembly Hall on Feb. 4, 1993

Henson inducted into National Collegiate Basketball Hall of Fame (11/20/2015)

After a 41-year coaching career, Henson retired during the 2004-05 season due to non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma. Racking up a total of 779 wins across three schools, Henson ranks 15th all-time in games won by a head coach. His career wins at Illinois and New Mexico State, 423 and 289, respectively, are the most in each program’s history. Henson led two different schools to Final Four appearances (New Mexico State in 1970 and Illinois in 1989), both of which had struggling programs before he arrived. His decision to coach at New Mexico State for a nominal salary of $1 per month (he offered to work for free but it wasn’t allowed per New Mexico state law) reflected his dedication and passion for basketball, something all of his players and coaches can attest to.

Lou Henson Hall of Fame Induction | 11/20/15

Former Fighting Illini men’s basketball coach Lou Henson was inducted into the National Collegiate Basketball Hall of Fame on Nov. 20, 2015. WCIA’s Craig Chaote was in Kansas City for the ceremony.

Illinois basketball court renamed “Lou Henson Court” 

“The University of Illinois is extremely honored to recognize one of our most iconic figures with the naming of Lou Henson Court,” said former Illinois athletic director Mike Thomas in a statement on Aug. 24, 2015. “Lou has made an incredible impact and contribution to Fighting Illini basketball and the university. One of the most humble individuals you could ever know, Lou and Mary are recognized wherever they are at and treat everyone they meet with great respect. The current renovation project at State Farm Center would probably not be possible if not for the success led by coach Henson here at Illinois. This is a fitting tribute to one of the all-time great coaches and people to be associated with Illinois.” With the New Mexico State court also named after Henson, he is one of two coaches to have two courts in his honor, with Wooden being the only other person to receive the honor.  

Lou Henson Court Announcement Press Conference 8/24/15

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Lou Henson Court Dedication 12/2/15

The court at the newly-renovated State Farm Center was officially dedicated on Dec. 2, 2015, when Fighting Illini men’s basketball hosted Notre Dame in the Big Ten/ACC Challenge.

Henson inducted into Illinois Athletics Hall of Fame 

Henson was officially inducted into the Illinois Athletics Hall of Fame as a member of the Class of 2018. During his 21 years at Illinois, Henson accumulated a 423-224 (.654) record, 12 NCAA Tournament appearances and 11 20-win seasons, along with top-5 seeds in March Madness for seven consecutive seasons between 1984 and 1990. His 214 wins in Big Ten games were the third-highest when he retired. Henson is also credited with establishing the Orange Krush, one of the most well-known student groups in the country.

Lou Henson Illinois Athletics Hall of Fame Acceptance Speech

Legendary Illinois basketball coach Lou Henson was one of 21 all-time Illini greats inducted into the Illinois Athletics Hall of Fame on Sept. 22, 2018. Prior to the ceremony, Coach Henson taped his acceptance speech, but while on stage, he stepped to the microphone for an impromptu speech.

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