On Monday, Hall of Fame college basketball coach George Raveling died. He was 88 years old. In a post on X, Arkansas head coach John Calipari remembered the college basketball legend.
“Hall of fame coach George Raveling passed away yesterday. He has been a mentor and a friend throughout my entire coaching career,” Calipari wrote. “Not a week went by that he and I did not speak.
“He even made the trip to Egypt to be with me when I coached USA basketball. He was always about other people and always asked me the question ‘what can I do for you.’ My hope is I brought him some joy as he certainly did that for me. Going to miss my friend.”
Over the course of 22 years, Raveling was the head coach at Washington State, Iowa and USC. His death was announced on his official social media page.
“It is with deep sadness and unimaginable pain that we share the passing of our beloved ‘Coach,’ George Henry Raveling, who faced cancer with courage and grace,” the statement read. “He transitioned peacefully at 88, surrounded by family as well as love, faith and sacred protection.
“There are no words to fully capture what George meant to his family, friends, colleagues, former players, and assistants – and to the world. He will be profoundly missed, yet his aura, energy, divine presence, and timeless wisdom live on in all those he touched and transformed.”
Raveling, in addition to his college coaching experience, was also an assistant for Team USA. He helped the United States win a gold medal in 1984 and a bronze medal in 1988.
Raveling was the 1992 NABC Coach of the Year while at USC and a three-time Pac-10 Coach of the Year (1976, ’83 and ’92). He coached Washington State from 1972-83, Iowa from 1983-86 and USC from 1986-1994.
Raveling had six NCAA Tournament appearances over the course of his coaching career and finished with a collective 336-292 overall record. Raveling played basketball at Villanova from 1957-60 before transitioning to coaching three years later at the school.
“Grief is the cost of love deeply felt. We are eternally grateful for everyone who love George,” the statement continued. “He cherished his family, his friends, his books, and every opportunity to be a positive difference-maker in as many lives as possible. At this time of mourning, our family kindly asks for privacy and prayers as we navigate this difficult transition.”
On3’s Nick Kosko also contributed to this report.
