The college basketball world lost an absolute legend this week as the family of Terry Holland announced on Monday that the legendary Virginia men’s basketball head coach and athletics director passed away at the age of 80. Holland had been struggling with his health since being diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease in 2019.
Terry Holland took over as the head coach of the Virginia Cavaliers men’s basketball program in 1974 after the team had just three winning seasons in the previous 21 years. He quickly turned Virginia around, finishing his time at Virginia with a 326-173 record. During his time as Virigia’s head coach, he led the Cavaliers to nine NCAA tournaments, two Final Fours, and the 1980 NIT title.
After retiring from his coaching career in 1990, Holland began his career as an athletic director at Davidson University and eventually became the athletics director at Virginia for seven seasons from 1994 to 2001 before moving on to East Carolina for 10 more years.
He was an absolutely legendary figure in college basketball and college sports in general, and it’s clear from the reaction across the college basketball world that he will be greatly missed.
Saddened by the passing of former Virginia head coach Terry Holland, one of the ACC’s greatest coaches, and one of the game’s finest gentlemen. RIP Coach Holland. pic.twitter.com/bON590NDgz
— Jay Bilas (@JayBilas) February 27, 2023
We lost a great friend, the perfect mentor and the best role model a player or coach could ask for. Terry Holland passed away yesterday. He was 80. pic.twitter.com/VL3B2ySpf7
— Jim Larrañaga (@CanesCoachL) February 27, 2023
RIP Coach Terry Holland. The Minges bleachers made me taller than Coach Holland and almost as tall as @RalphSampson50! Forever grateful that I got to work with Coach Holland in his time at ECU. He was a true gentleman. He was the best! pic.twitter.com/rjYuTLi3mc
— Brian Bailey (@bbaileywnct) February 27, 2023
Heartbreaking learning about the passing of Terry Holland from @JerryRatcliffe who covered him during his career @UVAMensHoops . Terry was a CLASSY winner who was a man of integrity & loyalty .Terry was A big time WINNER in the GAME of LIFE! May he RIP !
— Dick Vitale (@DickieV) February 27, 2023
Terry Holland passed away. Got to know him well in Conference USA when he was AD at ECU.
He’s known for his time at Virginia w/ Ralph Sampson but he was WAY more than that. A great husband & father and he and his wife Ann always treated me like family. We lost a great man. RIP.
— John Calipari (@CoachCalArk) February 27, 2023
Saddened to learn this morning of the passing of legendary @UVAMensHoops coach Terry Holland. You all know his basketball accomplishments. But he was a good friend and @RaycomSports broadcast partner. Tough saying goodbye to your friends.
— Bob Rathbun (@BobRathbunTV) February 27, 2023
It is safe to say that Holland’s impact on college basketball will never be forgotten.
