Thanks Gary!....Tribute!

[h2oboss]

While he may have been polarizing to some with his coaching style, sweated up suits and no BS attitude he was a great coach! I know recruiting wasn't his strong point but he wasn't going to play the AAU game BS, kiss the a$$ of some diaper dandy or one and done NBA brat, cheat, lie, pay $ or do anything that would bring shame to himself, the game or his school. He was an old school guy who coached like he played...with passion, grit, emotion and respect. That's the way sports and coaching should be. Here is a short account of his major achievemnts.

33yr coach, 22 at MD
668-380 record, 461-252 at MD
14 NCAA tournements, 11 straight at one point
29 NCAA victorys, 7th among active coaches
2 Fianl 4's
2 Elite 8's
7 Sweet 16's
2002 National Champions
7 times he upset #1 teams, tied for most ever!
3 ACC reg. season titles
1 ACC tourney title
11 Season with 20 or more wins
28 NBA draft picks, 4 lottery picks
ETC,
ETC,
ETC, .....and the list goes on.

NO doubt first ballet Hall of Famer, he wasn't perfect but he was our coach and a damn good one at that! He didn't have too many McDonalds All American....but they had "Burger King All Americans". He routinely beat teams with much better "talent", compeated in the best league in the NCAA and came out on top more often than not. Thanks for bringing MD hoops back from the brink in '90, and doing it the right way!

THANKS FOR THE MEMORIES GARY!

[jhub]

So few left of these coaches in any sport. I'm not a big basketball fan but, always liked the way he conducted business. Good luck Gary you're a class act.

[reeltor]

A job well done in an era filled with guys that will sell their souls for a win.

[Steve F]

One of the best coaches that Maryland has ever had, Lefty was good but Gary was GREAT...It's going to be hard to fill his shoes but I hope they do. Best of luck to him

[Abter1]

some great comments on this page. My son thinks I'm hopelessly old school to think that integrity matters above all else. Well, I do think that and Gary had it. Its a vanishing breed.

Some love him and some hated him for fighting so incredibly hard to win the right way.

Abter; UMD '80 & '87
Abter Jr; UMD '10