Coach Johnny Orr Dead at 86
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Mitchell Layton/Getty Images(DES MOINES, Iowa) — Former Iowa State, Michigan, and Massachusetts head coach Johnny Orr died at the age of 86 Tuesday.
Orr led Michigan to the 1976 national title game and coached Iowa State to a school-record 209 wins.
Orr started his career college coaching career at Massachusetts, coaching three seasons there before leaving for Michigan.
During his 12 seasons at Michigan, Orr led the Wolverines to a 209-113 record and four-straight NCAA tournament appearances.
“The Michigan basketball program is saddened by the passing of Johnny Orr,” Michigan coach John Beilein said. “Johnny was a tremendous person and basketball coach. We will always value the many positives he brought to both the University of Michigan and college basketball in general.”
After leaving Ann Arbor Orr headed to Iowa State where he coach 14 seasons. During that time he led the Cyclones to six NCAA tournament appearances.
Orr’s signature at Iowa State home games was to take the court with the “Tonight Show” theme playing while throwing a fist pump. In 2011 a statue of Orr was made and placed inside the James H. Hilton Coliseum.
Orr is survived by his wife, Romie, and his three daughters, Jennifer, Leslie and Rebecca.
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