Kansas basketball legend Larry Brown could be embarking on his 15th-ever NBA/NCAA coaching gig. Jeff Goodman reported that the 82-year-old Hall of Fame head coach is rumored to head to Washington University.
Larry Brown is one of the most recognizable faces in the history of basketball, and his five-year stint with the Kansas Jayhawks might be his most well-known stop. The Hall of Fame head coach is reportedly Mike Hopkins’ staff with the Washington Huskies.
Brown confirmed with The Kansas City Star that the deal was “not close to being official,” meaning the two parties are still working out the details. However, it is expected that he join the school sometime next year.
His career on the sidelines was expected to be over after he stepped down from his assistant role in 2022 at Memphis due to health concerns. However, Brown seemingly cannot escape the game he loves, so he’ll give it yet another run.
Brown compiled a 135-44 record with Kansas basketball, and his .754 win percentage is the third-highest in program history. He coached the legendary “Danny and the Miracles” team in the 1987-88 season, leading the Jayhawks to their first national championship in 36 years as a No. 6 seed in the NCAA Tournament.
READ: 10 greatest big men in KU history
All signs point to Hall of Fame coach Larry Brown joining Mike Hopkins' staff at Washington, source told @stadium.
— Jeff Goodman (@GoodmanHoops) June 19, 2023
The 82-year-old Brown was most recently an assistant for Penny Hardaway at Memphis.
As great as Coach Brown’s career has been, it has not come without controversy. There have been several instances in which a team he coached received NCAA sanctions, including his most recent head coaching job at SMU. Several reports of academic fraud arose, leading to a 2016 postseason ban and a loss of nine scholarships across three seasons.
He has never been able to find a consistent home, whether it be at the professional or college level. Almost immediately after leading Kansas to a title, he departed to the San Antonio Spurs. Brown has also operated under the helm for the UCLA Bruins, Detroit Pistons, and New York Knicks, among others.
It is unknown in what capacity Brown will serve for Washington, but at 82, it’d be safe to assume that there won’t be too many responsibilities burdened onto him. He will likely act as a mentor for other coaches and assist on the recruiting trail if needed.
Follow @ThroughThePhog on Twitter and like our page @throughthephog on Facebook for more Kansas Jayhawks coverage.