College Basketball Coach Dies Suddenly at 55
Bill Courtney, an assistant basketball coach at Temple University and former interim head coach at the University of Miami last season, has died. He was 55.
The Cause of Death
The cause of death was not disclosed when Temple shared the devastating news on Tuesday in a lengthy release. It's unclear if Courtney's health had been declining. He reportedly died on Monday in Philadelphia.
According to the school, Courtney joined the staff in June 2025. He previously spent five seasons at the University of Miami, helping lead the Hurricanes to three NCAA Tournament appearances, including the 2023 Final Four run.
Courtney served as Miami's interim head coach last season for the team's final 19 games of the season after Jim Larrañaga's shocking retirement.
"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 Boasted Impressive Resume
Courtney had more than 30 years of experience as a basketball coach when he arrived at Temple last year. His resume was impressive, leading multiple programs to nine postseason appearances, including three NCAA Tournaments, four National Invitational Tournaments, and two CBI appearances.
He coached at Bowling Green, George Mason, Providence, Virginia, Virginia Tech, and DePaul. He was also the head coach at Cornell from 2010 to 2016.
Courtney played at Bucknell University, earning All-Patriot League honors. The school inducted him into its Hall of Fame in 2007.