Lefty Driesell, Maryland coach, dies at 92

College basketball legend Lefty Driesell has died at 92. He built Maryland's program and won 786 games at five schools.

Lefty Driesell, the beloved Hall of Fame coach whose charming Southern style and fiery demeanor led Maryland to basketball prominence and revived several struggling programs, passed away at the age of 92 at his home in Virginia Beach, Virginia. Maryland had planned to honor Driesell with a moment of silence before their game against No. 14 Illinois. The team also wore throwback uniforms from the 1970s in tribute to Driesell. His coaching career spanned five decades, with 786 victories and the distinction of being the first coach to win over 100 games at four NCAA Division I schools. Driesell's career included successful tenures at Davidson, Maryland, James Madison, and Georgia State. His contributions to the game extended beyond wins and losses, as he played a key role in breaking racial barriers in college basketball, making him a trailblazer and innovator. Driesell was known for his larger-than-life personality, excellent recruiting skills, and his instrumental role in putting Maryland basketball on the map. Despite his absence from the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame for many years, Driesell's influence on the game and the lives of his players was undeniable. He leaves behind a lasting legacy that has left an indelible mark on college basketball.

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