MSU Athletics has announced that Jud Heathcote passed away Monday at the age of 90 in Spokane, Washington.
Heathcote is a former American basketball player and coach. He was a college basketball head coach for 24 seasons: five at the University of Montana, and 19 at Michigan State University.
Spartans coach Tom Izzo was hired by Heathcote and was promoted to replace him when he retired in 1995.
Heathcote won three Big Ten titles and appeared in nine NCAA tournaments during his career at Michigan State.
Izzo says the basketball world is a sadder place because of his mentor's death, adding no one cared more about the welfare of the game than Heathcote. Izzo helped the Spartans win their second NCAA basketball title in 2000 and often leaned on Heathcote for advice, counsel and humor.
MSU Athletics is sad to announce that Jud Heathcote passed away Monday at the age of 90. pic.twitter.com/DHPW6aA5q0
— Spartan Basketball (@MSU_Basketball) August 29, 2017
