Tark Gone
Tarkanian Dies; Thanks for the Memories
by Fred Pahlke | Posted on Wednesday, February 11th, 2015
Jerry Tarkanian died today in Las Vegas at the age of 84. Tark was one of the greatest coaches in College basketball history. My first game to watch this man coach was in the early 70’s when he brought his Long Beach State’s nationally ranked teams to Oklahoma City to play the Chiefs of OCU. A match-up between two Hall-0f-Fame coaches, the Abe Lemons/Jerry Tarkanian buzz was about as good as game itself. Two of the most colorful coaches, winners in all respect. As much as I love Abe and his teams (my alma mater), the Shark’s 49ers came from behind in the second half to beat Abe’s boys. Again, as was his history, Abe Lemons, his team with a lead playing a run and gun/man defense, he took his team out of what was working to try something else. OCU played like the team to do in the Top Ten 49ers. But Abe outcoached himself as his team went into a zone in the second half and Tark took advantage of the adjustment and pulled out the win.
I also remember when Tark brought his Las Vegas Runnin’ Rebs to OKC a few years later on a rainy night in OKC. The State Fairgrounds Arena leaked like an OCU defense and I was there when both Tark and Abe stood in the wings of the building discussing what to do. Finally, with heart felt friendship, the shook hands and told the officials that the game would be cancelled. Disappointed, I still got a memory of the two men making an educated decision that the floor was dangerous and the game would not be played. I could tell that both men would go out to eat that night, as the two had great respect for each other as a coaching friendship is hard to beat.
Jerry Tarkaian took some fine teams to the final four finally winning one with Las Vegas. You can read the incidentals of Tark’s life at this site: www.http://sports.yahoo.com/news/son-former-unlv-coach-tarkanian-dies-las-vegas-171512953–ncaab.html
As for me, never a good day to hear about someone of greatness that passes. Thank you Tark and you too Abe. It is always a significant memory when you get to see the best do their job. Appreciated more than you know.
