News broke on Monday, February 27, that basketball legend Terry Holland died at the age of 80 after a battle with Alzheimer’s. Although Holland is connected to multiple roles within basketball and athletics at Davidson and East Carolina University, he is most well known as the head coach of the Virginia men’s basketball team from 1974-1990.
He retired at Virginia as the winningest head coach in program history (326-173), a record that stood until current head coach Tony Bennett passed that mark this season. Holland led the Cavaliers to two Final Fours (1981 and 1984) and coached the iconic Ralph Sampson.
After Virginia, Holland served as the athletic director of Davidson, Virginia and ECU. While Holland is known for his basketball success, he is widely regarded as an incredible person off the court.
As the news of his passing spread, well-wishers from across the college basketball world emerged.
Virginia Athletics mourns the loss of legendary men’s basketball coach, Terry Holland, who first showed us what Virginia basketball could be.
Our thoughts are with Ann, the Holland family and the entire Virginia basketball family.https://t.co/ePdVBFHmcx pic.twitter.com/B7OcYBqWBH
— Virginia Men’s Basketball (@UVAMensHoops) February 27, 2023
“He put this place, at least from my upbringing, on the map.”
Tony Bennett on the passing of legendary UVA basketball coach Terry Holland: https://t.co/ZdEGGQBkjd pic.twitter.com/DpWk2nhMz5
— Preston Willett (@PrestonWillett) February 27, 2023
Saddened by the passing of former Virginia head coach Terry Holland, one of the ACC’s greatest coaches, and one of the game’s finest gentlemen. RIP Coach Holland. pic.twitter.com/bON590NDgz
— Jay Bilas (@JayBilas) February 27, 2023
We lost a great friend, the perfect mentor and the best role model a player or coach could ask for. Terry Holland passed away yesterday. He was 80. pic.twitter.com/VL3B2ySpf7
— Jim Larrañaga (@CanesCoachL) February 27, 2023
RIP Coach Terry Holland — he was the example for ACC coaches on how to be a class act and a gentleman as a leader! pic.twitter.com/zeBL1B6Hq8
— Mike Brey (@NDMikeBrey) February 27, 2023
Mr. Terry Holland we love you. May soul rest with God. Godspeed to your family, loved ones and all of us who love you!
— dawnstaley (@dawnstaley) February 27, 2023
RIP to Terry Holland.
Amazing coach who stepped down at Virginia at the age of 48 in 1990 — just two years after going to the Elite Eight.
Went to nine NCAA tourneys in Charlottesville — two Final Four appearances and two more Elite 8’s.
418-216 in his coaching career. Was… https://t.co/ZDsdwxsjVU
— Jeff Goodman (@GoodmanHoops) February 27, 2023
Terry Holland, former UVa. head basketball coach, dies at 80 – WTOP News; Just landed in Newark and unfortunately saw this. Terry’s another former partner of mine. Shortly after his retirement we did a few games on @espn The epitome of class 🙏RIP. https://t.co/FBAxueKdTc
— Tim Brando (@TimBrando) February 27, 2023
Heartbreaking learning about the passing of Terry Holland from @JerryRatcliffe who covered him during his career @UVAMensHoops . Terry was a CLASSY winner who was a man of integrity & loyalty .Terry was A big time WINNER in the GAME of LIFE! May he RIP !
— Dick Vitale (@DickieV) February 27, 2023
Terry Holland passed away. Got to know him well in Conference USA when he was AD at ECU.
He’s known for his time at Virginia w/ Ralph Sampson but he was WAY more than that. A great husband & father and he and his wife Ann always treated me like family. We lost a great man. RIP.
— John Calipari (@UKCoachCalipari) February 27, 2023
𝐃𝐚𝐯𝐢𝐝𝐬𝐨𝐧 𝐌𝐨𝐮𝐫𝐧𝐬 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐋𝐨𝐬𝐬 𝐨𝐟 𝐂𝐨𝐚𝐜𝐡, 𝐃𝐢𝐫𝐞𝐜𝐭𝐨𝐫 𝐨𝐟 𝐀𝐭𝐡𝐥𝐞𝐭𝐢𝐜𝐬 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐒𝐜𝐡𝐨𝐥𝐚𝐫-𝐀𝐭𝐡𝐥𝐞𝐭𝐞 𝐓𝐞𝐫𝐫𝐲 𝐇𝐨𝐥𝐥𝐚𝐧𝐝
STORY ⤵️https://t.co/30B7QD8pap pic.twitter.com/DBZdlScf50
— Davidson Athletics (@DavidsonWildcat) February 27, 2023
