Former UM basketball coach Bill Courtney dies in Philadelphia. He was 55
Bill Courtney, who served as interim head coach of the University of Miami basketball team last season after Jim Larranaga retired, died on Monday in Philadelphia, where he had been working as an assistant coach at Temple.
He was 55.
“Temple University is deeply saddened to announce the sudden passing of assistant men’s basketball coach Bill Courtney,” read a statement from the school.
No cause of death was given.
“I am shocked and heartbroken by the tragic news and passing of my close friend Bill Courtney,” said Temple head coach Adam Fisher, who previously worked with Courtney on Larranaga’s UM staff. “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.”
Larranaga, reached by phone, said: “Bill was my best friend for 30 years. He was instrumental in every success I enjoyed at Bowling Green, George Mason and the University of Miami. It is very difficult for me to even talk about this. We were very, very close, spoke almost every day and had very long conversations.”
Courtney joined the Owls after spending the previous five seasons at UM, where he helped guide the Hurricanes to three NCAA Tournament appearances, including a run to the 2023 Final Four. He served as Miami’s head coach for the final 19 games of the 2024–25 season following Larranaga’s retirement.
His son, Bill Courtney, Jr., remains at UM as a graduate assistant coach on Jai Lucas’ staff.
Larranaga and Courtney had a long history together. Courtney served on Larranaga’s staffs at Bowling Green (1996-97), George Mason (1997-2005) and Miami. Larranaga recalled the first time he met Courtney.
“He was 25 years old and a volunteer assistant coach at American University,” Larranaga said. “I was looking for an assistant coach, had interviewed 26 guys and not found the right person. An assistant at American suggested I interview Bill. After our first conversation, I knew he was what I was looking for. He was upbeat, smiley, never had a bad day in his life. That is how it started, and we stayed close for 30 years.”
Larranaga credited Courtney for his recruiting efforts, saying he recruited “all the players at George Mason that took us to the Final Four” and that he was point person at Miami for bringing in Jordan Miller, Charlie Moore, Nigel Pack and Norchad Omier.
Courtney coached in nine postseason tournaments, including three NCAA Tournaments, four NITs and two CBI appearances. In addition to his time at Miami, he held assistant coaching roles at American (1995–96), Bowling Green (1996–97), George Mason (1997–2005), Providence (2005–06), Virginia (2006–09), Virginia Tech (2009–10), and DePaul (2017–19).
From 2010 to 2016, Courtney was the head coach at Cornell.
Condolences poured in from the college basketball world all morning.
ESPN analyst Seth Greenberg: “Lost a dear friend in Bill Courtney. Was one of one. Loved that guy. He never had a bad day. Bill was with me at [Virginia Tech], worked his rear end off, was great with everyone, was so proud of his kids. The very best. RIP BC”
Harvard coach Tommy Amaker: “I want to share my heartfelt condolences and prayers with the family and loved ones of Bill Courtney following his sudden and tragic passing. A fellow DMV friend, a tremendous coach, a trusted colleague, and an exemplary ambassador for college basketball...He made an indelible impact on countless student-athletes through this career as a coach and educator. I know that he will be missed by so many.”
A native of Springfield, Virginia, Courtney played collegiately at Bucknell, where he earned All-Patriot League honors as a senior and graduated in 1992 with a degree in education. He was inducted into the Bucknell Athletics Hall of Fame in 2007 and remains among the program’s all-time leaders in points and assists.
“I was shocked and saddened to learn of the sudden passing of coach Bill Courtney,” Temple Vice President/Director of Athletics Arthur Johnson said. “In the short time that he has been part of the Temple family, I saw the impact that he had on our program with the joy that exuded from him on and off the court. He will be missed by his immediate family, his Temple basketball family, and the greater basketball community.”
This story was originally published January 13, 2026 at 10:58 AM.