The family of former longtime Georgetown basketball coach John Thompson say he has died at age 78, according to media reports.
Thompson, a Basketball Hall of Famer, became the first black head coach to win a national title with Georgetown in 1984.
The cause of death was unclear, according to WJLA in Washington.
Among the countless college standouts and future pros Thompson coached in his trailblazing 27-year career were Hall of Famers Patrick Ewing, Alonzo Mourning, Dikembe Mutumbo and Allen Iverson.
Thompson starred as a college player at Providence, which confirmed his passing with a throwback photo in a social media post.
He was later drafted in 1964 by the Boston Celtics and head coach Red Auerbach, whom Thompson credited as heavily influencing his coaching style and methods of relating to players, ESPN reported.
Thompson's playing career in the NBA ended after only two seasons. From there he pivoted into coaching, parlaying a successful six-year run at a top prep school into the job with Georgetown, in 1972.
Pitt basketball head coach Jeff Capel released the following statement on Monday.
Steelers coach Mike Tomlin also commented on the Thompson's passing.
Thompson retired from coaching in 1999, after 27 years at the helm for the Bulldogs. He finished with a career record of 596-239, good for a .714 winning percentage.
His survivors included two sons, including John Thompson III, who succeed his father as Georgetown coach, and a daughter, ESPN reported.