Former Coach Kirk Dies Monday
Former Memphis coach Dana Kirk, who led the Tigers to the 1985 Final Four, died suddenly on Monday from a heart attack.
The Memphis Commercial Appeal first reported the news, and the death has since been confirmed by a family spokesman.
Kirk won 158 games with Memphis in seven seasons, leading them to five straight 20-win seasons and a brief appearance at the top of the NCAA rankings in 1983.
But Kirk’s time at Memphis was also marred by controversy. Kirk was fired the season after reaching the Final Four just before being indicted for income tax evasion, which sent him to prison for four months. Around the time of his imprisonment, the NCAA found Memphis guilty of violations, forcing them to vacate the ’85 Final Four appearance. (Doesn’t this sound like another more recent Memphis coach…?)
“He did a magnificent job and was a great coach and helped create the image of Tiger basketball,” Memphis athletic director R.C. Johnson told the Commercial Appeal.
“He always talked Tiger basketball right to the end. I still had some of our boosters that think he walked on water. He had a strong following.”
