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{{Short description|American basketball coach (1925–2024)}}
{{redirect|Carnesecca|carne seca|carne seca (disambiguation)}}
{{Infobox college coach
{{Infobox college coach
| name = Lou Carnesecca
| name = Lou Carnesecca
| image = Lou Carnesecca 081013.jpg
| image = Lou Carnesecca 081013.jpg
| alt =
| alt =
| caption =
| caption = Carnesecca in 2008
| birth_date = {{Birth date|1925|1|5}}
| sport = [[Basketball]]
| birth_place = [[New York City]], U.S.
| birth_date = {{Birth date and age|1925|1|5}}
| death_date = {{Death date and age|2024|11|30|1925|1|5}}
| birth_place = [[New York City, New York]]
| death_date =
| death_place =
| death_place =
| alma_mater =
| alma_mater = [[St. John's University (New York City)|St. John's]]
| coach_years1 = 1965–1970
| coach_years1 = 1950–1958
| coach_team1 = [[St. John's Red Storm men's basketball|St. John's]]
| coach_team1 = [[Archbishop Molloy High School|St. Ann's Academy HS]]
| coach_years2 = 1970–1973
| coach_years2 = 1958–1965
| coach_team2 = [[Brooklyn Nets|New York Nets (ABA)]]
| coach_team2 = [[St. John's Red Storm men's basketball|St. John's]] (assistant)
| coach_years3 = 1973–1992
| coach_years3 = 1965–1970
| coach_team3 = St. John's
| coach_team3 = St. John's
| coach_years4 = 1970–1973
| overall_record = 526–200 (college)
| coach_team4 = [[New York Nets]]
| coach_years5 = 1973–1992
| coach_team5 = St. John's
| overall_record = 205–34 (high school)<br>526–200 (college)<br>114–138 (ABA)
| bowl_record =
| bowl_record =
| tournament_record = 17–20 ([[NCAA Division I men's basketball tournament|NCAA Division I]])<br>10–6 ([[National Invitation Tournament|NIT]])
| tournament_record =
| championships = [[List of NCAA Division I men's basketball tournament Final Four appearances by coach|NCAA Division I Regional – Final Four]] ([[1985 NCAA Division I men's basketball tournament|1985]])<br>[[National Invitation Tournament|NIT]] ([[1989 National Invitation Tournament|1989]])<br>5× [[Big East]] regular season (1980, 1983, 1985, 1986, 1992)<br>2× [[Big East men's basketball tournament|Big East tournament]] ([[1983 Big East men's basketball tournament|1983]], [[1986 Big East men's basketball tournament|1986]])<br>2× [[Catholic High School Athletic Association|CHSAA]] (1952, 1958)
| championships =
| awards = 2× [[Henry Iba Award]] (1983, 1985)<br>[[NABC Coach of the Year]] (1983)<br>[[UPI College Basketball Coach of the Year|UPI Coach of the Year]] (1985)<br>3× [[Big East Conference Men's Basketball Coach of the Year|Big East Coach of the Year]] (1983, 1985, 1986)<br> [[New York City Basketball Hall of Fame]] (1993)
| awards = 3x [[Big East Conference]] Coach of the Year (1983, 1985–1986)
| coaching_records =
| coaching_records =
| BASKHOF_year = 1992
| BASKHOF_year = 1992
| CBBASKHOF_year = 2006
| CBBASKHOF_year = 2006
| BASKHOF_id = louis-p-lou-carnesecca
| BASKHOF_id = lou-carnesecca
}}
}}
'''Luigi P. "Lou" Carnesecca''' (born January 5, 1925) is a retired American [[college basketball]] coach at [[St. John's University, New York|St. John's University]]. Carnesecca also coached at the professional level, leading the [[New York Nets]] of the [[American Basketball Association]] for three seasons. Carnesecca was elected to the [[Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame]] in 1992.<ref>http://www.hoophall.com/hall-of-famers-index/</ref>


'''Luigi P. Carnesecca''' (January 5, 1925 – November 30, 2024) was an American men's [[college basketball]] [[Coach (basketball)|coach]] at [[St. John's University (New York City)|St. John's University]]. Carnesecca also coached at the professional level, leading the [[New York Nets]] of the [[American Basketball Association]] (ABA) for three seasons. Carnesecca was elected to the [[Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame]] in 1992<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.hoophall.com/hall-of-famers-index/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090718160341/http://www.hoophall.com/hall-of-famers-index |archive-date=2009-07-18 |title=The Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame - Hall of Famers Index}}</ref> and the [[New York City Basketball Hall of Fame]] in 1993.
He coached the St. John's basketball program to 526 wins and 200 losses over 24 seasons (1965–70, 1973–92). The colorful "Looie" (as he was popularly known by fans and by the media) reached the post-season in every season he coached the team, including a [[college basketball|Final Four]] appearance in 1985. He was selected as the National Coach of the Year in 1983 and 1985 by the U.S. Basketball Writers Association.


He coached the [[St. John's Red Storm men's basketball|St. John's basketball program]] to 526 wins and 200 losses over 24 seasons (1965–70, 1973–92). The colorful "Looie" (as he was popularly known by fans and by the media) reached the post-season in every season he coached the team, including a [[college basketball|Final Four]] appearance in 1985. He was selected as the National Coach of the Year in 1983 and 1985 by the [[U.S. Basketball Writers Association]].
Carnesecca is widely known for his sense of humor and his signature sweaters. In November 2004, St. John's University officially dedicated and renamed the historic Alumni Hall to [[Carnesecca Arena]].


Carnesecca was widely known for his sense of humor and his signature [[sweater]]s.<ref name = Goldstein>{{cite news|url = https://www.nytimes.com/2024/11/30/sports/basketball/lou-carnesecca-dead.html|title = Lou Carnesecca, St. John’s Basketball Coach With 526 Wins, Is Dead at 99|last = Goldstein|first = Richard|date = November 30, 2024|accessdate = December 1, 2024|newspaper = [[The New York Times]]|url-access = limited}}</ref> In November 2004, St. John's University officially dedicated and renamed the historic Alumni Hall to [[Carnesecca Arena]].
Carnesecca graduated from St. John's in 1950. He also coached his high school alma mater, St. Ann's (now academic and athletic powerhouse [[Archbishop Molloy High School]]), where he was succeeded by [[Jack Curran]].


==Early life and education==
After beginning his coaching career at St. John's in 1965, Carnesecca jumped to the pro level. In the 1970–71, 1971–72 and 1972–73 seasons, Carnesecca coached the New York Nets of the defunct [[American Basketball Association]] (ABA), now the [[Brooklyn Nets]] of the [[National Basketball Association]] (NBA). The 1971–72 Nets reached the ABA Finals, where they were defeated by the [[Indiana Pacers]]. Carnesecca returned to St. John's in 1973.<ref>http://www.remembertheaba.com/New-York-Nets.html</ref>
The son of Italian immigrants, Carnesecca was born in New York City on January 5, 1925.<ref name = Goldstein/> He attended high school at St. Ann's Academy in Manhattan (now [[Archbishop Molloy High School]]). Upon graduation, he served for three years in the [[U.S. Coast Guard]] during [[World War II]], where he served on a troop transport in the [[Pacific War|Pacific theater]].<ref>{{cite web |last=Robertson |first=Linda |date=October 25, 2018 |title=At St. John's, Carnesecca has been part of the neighborhood for nearly 45 years |url=https://www.baltimoresun.com/1992/01/19/at-st-johns-carnesecca-has-been-part-of-the-neighborhood-for-nearly-45-years/ |access-date=December 2, 2024 |website=tribunedigital-baltimoresun |language=en}}</ref><ref>Porter, David L. (ed.). [https://books.google.com/books?id=DDO3sdV6ytsC&dq=Lou+carnesecca+%22world+war+II%22&pg=PA70 "Carnesecca, Luigi 'Lou' 'Louie'"], ''Basketball: A Biographical Dictionary'', [[Greenwood Publishing Group|Greenwood Press]], Westport, Connecticut, 2005, page 70. {{ISBN|0-313-30952-3}}</ref>


==Basketball career==
Carnesecca was also a longtime announcer for the [[USA Network]]'s coverage of the yearly NBA drafts of the 1980s.
Upon discharge from the Coast Guard, he then enrolled at St. John's and graduated in 1950. He also coached his high school alma mater, St. Ann's, where he was succeeded by [[Jack Curran]].{{citation needed|date=December 2024}}

After beginning his coaching career at St. John's in 1965, Carnesecca jumped to the pro level. He was head coach and general manager of the [[American Basketball Association|ABA]]'s [[New York Nets]] for three seasons from 1970 to 1973. The ballclub qualified for the postseason in each of the three campaigns with Carnesecca at the helm. The [[1971&ndash;72 New York Nets season|1971&ndash;72 Nets]] finished third in the regular season but reached the [[ABA Finals]], where they were defeated by the [[Indiana Pacers]] in six games. Despite the loss of [[Rick Barry]] and a 30&ndash;53 record, the Nets edged out the [[Memphis Tams]] for fourth place and the final playoff berth in the Eastern Division in [[1972&ndash;73 New York Nets season|1972&ndash;73]].<ref name=":1">{{Cite web |last=Goldaper |first=Sam |date=1973-03-28 |title=Carnesecca Rounds Out Cycle, Returns to Redmen |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1973/03/28/archives/carnesecca-rounds-out-cycle-returns-to-redmen.html |access-date=2024-12-02 |website=The New York Times}}</ref>

Carnesecca announced his return to St. John's on March 27, 1973. He replaced [[Frank Mulzoff]], his successor from three years earlier who had resigned after a 19&ndash;7 campaign. He had two years out of a total of five remaining on his Nets contract in which he was to have received about $200,000 spread over seven years. His $22,000 salary at St. John's meant that he took a financial loss in the transition. He explained, "I've had my whack at pro ball and I'm very happy with it. But when the opportunity arose to return to St. John's, I wanted to go back."<ref name=":1"/>

Carnesecca was also a longtime announcer for the [[USA Network]]'s coverage of the yearly [[NBA draft]]s of the 1980s.{{citation needed|date=December 2024}}

==Personal life and death==
Carnesecca married Mary Chiesa in 1951, and they had one daughter.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |last=Jeansonne |first=John |date=2024-12-01 |title=Lou Carnesecca, St. John's legendary coach, dies at 99 |url=https://www.newsday.com/sports/college/st-johns/lou-carnesecca-obituary-iskj1bub |access-date=2024-12-01 |website=Newsday |language=en}}</ref> Carnesecca died on November 30, 2024, at the age of 99.<ref name = :0/>


==Head coaching record==
==Head coaching record==
{{unsourced-section|date=December 2024}}


===College===
===High school===
{{CBB Yearly Record Start|
{{CBB Yearly Record Start | type = | conference = | postseason = | poll = }}
{{CBB Yearly Record Subhead
|type=coach
| name = [[Archbishop Molloy High School|St. Ann's Academy / Archbishop Molloy High School]]
|conference=
| conference = [[Catholic High School Athletic Association]]
|postseason=
| startyear = 1950
|poll=no
| endyear = 1958
}}
}}
{{CBB Yearly Record Subhead|
|name=[[St. John's Red Storm men's basketball|St. John's Redmen]]
|conference=Independent
|startyear=1965
|endyear=1970
|}}
{{CBB Yearly Record Entry
{{CBB Yearly Record Entry
| championship =
| season =1965–66
| name =St. John's
| season = 1950–51
| conference =
| name = St. Ann's
| overall =18–8
| overall = 13–11
| confstanding =
| conference =
| championship =
| confstanding =
| postseason =[[1966 National Invitation Tournament|NIT First Round]]
| postseason =
}}
}}
{{CBB Yearly Record Entry
{{CBB Yearly Record Entry
| championship = conference tournament
| season =1966–67
| name =St. John's
| season = 1951–52
| overall =23–5
| name = St. Ann's
| conference =
| overall = 24–6
| confstanding =
| conference =
| confstanding =
| postseason = [[1967 NCAA Men's Division I Basketball Tournament|NCAA Sweet Sixteen]]
| postseason = CHSAA Champion
| championship =
}}
}}
{{CBB Yearly Record Entry
{{CBB Yearly Record Entry
| championship =
| season =1967–68
| name =St. John's
| season = 1952–53
| overall =19–8
| name = St. Ann's
| conference =
| overall = 26–5
| confstanding =
| conference =
| confstanding =
| postseason = [[1968 NCAA Men's Division I Basketball Tournament|NCAA First Round]]
| championship =
| postseason =
}}
}}
{{CBB Yearly Record Entry
{{CBB Yearly Record Entry
| championship =
| season =1968–69
| name =St. John's
| season = 1953–54
| overall =23–6
| name = St. Ann's
| conference =
| overall = 29–1
| confstanding =
| conference =
| confstanding =
| postseason =[[1969 NCAA Men's Division I Basketball Tournament|NCAA Second Round]]
| postseason = CHSAA Final
| championship =
}}
}}
{{CBB Yearly Record Entry
{{CBB Yearly Record Entry
| championship =
| season =1969–70
| name =St. John's
| season = 1954–55
| overall =21–8
| name = St. Ann's
| conference =
| overall = 26–4
| confstanding =
| conference =
| confstanding =
| postseason = [[1970 National Invitation Tournament|NIT Runner–up]]
| championship =
| postseason =
}}
}}
{{CBB Yearly Record Subhead|
|name=[[St. John's Red Storm men's basketball|St. John's Redmen]]
|conference=Independent/NJ-NY7/Big East
|startyear=1973
|endyear=1992
|}}
{{CBB Yearly Record Entry
{{CBB Yearly Record Entry
| championship =
| season =1973–74
| name =St. John's
| season = 1955–56
| overall =20–7
| name = St. Ann's
| conference =
| overall = 26–4
| confstanding =
| conference =
| confstanding =
| postseason =[[1974 National Invitation Tournament|NIT First Round]]
| postseason = CHSAA Final
| championship =
}}
}}
{{CBB Yearly Record Entry
{{CBB Yearly Record Entry
| championship =
| season =1974–75
| name =St. John's
| season = 1956–57
| overall =21–10
| name = St. Ann's
| conference =
| overall = 29–3
| confstanding =
| conference =
| confstanding =
| postseason = [[1975 National Invitation Tournament|NIT Semifinals]]
| championship =
| postseason =
}}
}}
{{CBB Yearly Record Entry
{{CBB Yearly Record Entry
| championship = conference tournament
| season =1975–76
| name =St. John's
| season = 1957–58
| overall =23–6
| name = Archbishop Molloy
| conference =
| overall = 32–0
| confstanding =
| conference =
| confstanding =
| postseason =[[1976 NCAA Men's Division I Basketball Tournament|NCAA First Round]]
| postseason = CHSAA Champion
| championship =
}}
{{CBB Yearly Record Subtotal
| name = St. Ann's / Archbishop Molloy
| overall = 205–34 ({{winpct|205|34}})
| confrecord =
}}
{{CBB Yearly Record End
| overall = 205–34 ({{winpct|205|34}})
}}

===College===
{{CBB Yearly Record Start | type = | conference = | postseason = | poll = }}
{{CBB Yearly Record Subhead
| name = [[St. John's Red Storm men's basketball|St. John's Redmen]]
| conference = NCAA University Division independent
| startyear = 1965
| endyear = 1970
}}
}}
{{CBB Yearly Record Entry
{{CBB Yearly Record Entry
| season = [[1965–66 NCAA University Division men's basketball season|1965–66]]
| season =1976–77
| name =St. John's
| name = [[1965–66 St. John's Redmen basketball team|St. John's]]
| overall =22–9
| overall = 18–8
| conference =3–2
| conference =
| confstanding =T–3rd
| confstanding =
| postseason =[[1977 NCAA Men's Division I Basketball Tournament|NCAA First Round]]
| postseason = [[1966 National Invitation Tournament|NIT first round]]
| championship =
}}
}}
{{CBB Yearly Record Entry
{{CBB Yearly Record Entry
| season = [[1966–67 NCAA University Division men's basketball season|1966–67]]
| season =1977–78
| name =St. John's
| name = [[1966–67 St. John's Redmen basketball team|St. John's]]
| overall =21–7
| overall = 23–5
| conference =5–1
| conference =
| confstanding =T–1st
| confstanding =
| postseason = [[1967 NCAA University Division basketball tournament|NCAA University Division Regional Fourth Place]]
| championship =conference
| postseason =[[1978 NCAA Men's Division I Basketball Tournament|NCAA First Round]]
}}
}}
{{CBB Yearly Record Entry
{{CBB Yearly Record Entry
| season =[[1978–79 NCAA Division I men's basketball season|1978–79]]
| season = [[1967–68 NCAA University Division men's basketball season|1967–68]]
| name =St. John's
| name = [[1967–68 St. John's Redmen basketball team|St. John's]]
| overall =21–11
| overall = 19–8
| conference =3–3
| conference =
| confstanding =T–3rd
| confstanding =
| postseason =[[1979 NCAA Men's Division I Basketball Tournament|NCAA Elite Eight]]
| postseason = [[1968 NCAA University Division basketball tournament|NCAA University Division first round]]
| championship =
}}
}}
{{CBB Yearly Record Entry
{{CBB Yearly Record Entry
| season =[[1979–80 NCAA Division I men's basketball season|1979–80]]
| season = [[1968–69 NCAA University Division men's basketball season|1968–69]]
| name =St. John's
| name = [[1968–69 St. John's Redmen basketball team|St. John's]]
| overall =24–5
| overall = 23–6
| conference =5–1
| conference =
| confstanding =T–1st
| confstanding =
| postseason = [[1969 NCAA University Division basketball tournament|NCAA University Division Regional Fourth Place]]
| championship =conference
| postseason =[[1980 NCAA Men's Division I Basketball Tournament|NCAA Second Round]]
}}
}}
{{CBB Yearly Record Entry
{{CBB Yearly Record Entry
| season =[[1980–81 NCAA Division I men's basketball season|1980–81]]
| season = [[1969–70 NCAA University Division men's basketball season|1969–70]]
| name =St. John's
| name = [[1969–70 St. John's Redmen basketball team|St. John's]]
| overall =17–11
| overall = 21–8
| conference =8–6
| conference =
| confstanding =T–3rd
| confstanding =
| postseason =[[1981 National Invitation Tournament|NIT First Round]]
| postseason = [[1970 National Invitation Tournament|NIT Runner-up]]
}}
| championship =
{{CBB Yearly Record Subhead
| name = [[St. John's Red Storm men's basketball|St. John's Redmen]]
| conference = [[NCAA Division I independent schools|NCAA Division I independent]]
| startyear = 1973
| endyear = 1976
}}
}}
{{CBB Yearly Record Entry
{{CBB Yearly Record Entry
| season =[[1981–82 NCAA Division I men's basketball season|1981–82]]
| season = [[1973–74 NCAA Division I men's basketball season|1973–74]]
| name =St. John's
| name = [[1973–74 St. John's Redmen basketball team|St. John's]]
| overall =21–9
| overall = 20–7
| conference =9–5
| conference =
| confstanding =3rd
| confstanding =
| postseason =[[1982 NCAA Men's Division I Basketball Tournament|NCAA Second Round]]
| postseason = [[1974 National Invitation Tournament|NIT first round]]
| championship =
}}
}}
{{CBB Yearly Record Entry
{{CBB Yearly Record Entry
| season =1982–83
| season = [[1974–75 NCAA Division I men's basketball season|1974–75]]
| name =St. John's
| name = [[1974–75 St. John's Redmen basketball team|St. John's]]
| overall =28–5
| overall = 21–10
| conference =12–4
| conference =
| confstanding =T–1st
| confstanding =
| postseason =[[1983 NCAA Men's Division I Basketball Tournament|NCAA Sweet Sixteen]]
| postseason = [[1975 National Invitation Tournament|NIT semifinal]]
| championship =confboth
}}
}}
{{CBB Yearly Record Entry
{{CBB Yearly Record Entry
| season =1983–84
| season = [[1975–76 NCAA Division I men's basketball season|1975–76]]
| name =St. John's
| name = [[1975–76 St. John's Redmen basketball team|St. John's]]
| overall =18–12
| overall = 23–6
| conference =8–8
| conference =
| confstanding =T–4th
| confstanding =
| postseason =[[1984 NCAA Men's Division I Basketball Tournament|NCAA First Round]]
| postseason = [[1976 NCAA Division I basketball tournament|NCAA Division I first round]]
}}
| championship =
{{CBB Yearly Record Subhead
| name = [[St. John's Red Storm men's basketball|St. John's Redmen]]
| conference = [[New Jersey-New York 7 Conference]]
| startyear = 1976
| endyear = 1979
}}
}}
{{CBB Yearly Record Entry
{{CBB Yearly Record Entry
| season =1984–85
| season = [[1976–77 NCAA Division I men's basketball season|1976–77]]
| name =[[1984–85 St. John's Redmen basketball team|St. John's]]
| name = [[1976–77 St. John's Redmen basketball team|St. John's]]
| overall =31–4
| overall = 22–9
| conference =15–1
| conference = 3–2
| confstanding =1st
| confstanding = T–3rd
| postseason = [[1977 NCAA Division I basketball tournament|NCAA Division I first round]]
| championship =conference
| postseason =[[1985 NCAA Men's Division I Basketball Tournament|NCAA Final Four]]
}}
}}
{{CBB Yearly Record Entry
{{CBB Yearly Record Entry
| championship = conference
| season =[[1985–86 NCAA Division I men's basketball season|1985–86]]
| name =[[1985–86 St. John's Redmen basketball team|St. John's]]
| season = [[1977–78 NCAA Division I men's basketball season|1977–78]]
| name = [[1977–78 St. John's Redmen basketball team|St. John's]]
| overall =31–5
| conference =14–2
| overall = 21–7
| confstanding =T–1st
| conference = 5–1
| confstanding = T–1st
| postseason =[[1986 NCAA Men's Division I Basketball Tournament|NCAA Second Round]]
| postseason = [[1978 NCAA Division I basketball tournament|NCAA Division I first round]]
| championship =confboth
}}
}}
{{CBB Yearly Record Entry
{{CBB Yearly Record Entry
| season =1986–87
| season = [[1978–79 NCAA Division I men's basketball season|1978–79]]
| name =[[1986–87 St. John's Redmen basketball team|St. John's]]
| name = [[1978–79 St. John's Redmen basketball team|St. John's]]
| overall =21–9
| overall = 21–11
| conference =10–6
| conference = 3–3
| confstanding =T–5th
| confstanding = T–3rd
| postseason = [[1979 NCAA Division I basketball tournament|NCAA Division I Elite Eight]]
| championship =
}}
| postseason =[[1987 NCAA Men's Division I Basketball Tournament|NCAA Second Round]]
{{CBB Yearly Record Subhead
| name = [[St. John's Red Storm men's basketball|St. John's Redmen]]
| conference = [[Big East Conference]]
| startyear = 1979
| endyear = 1992
}}
}}
{{CBB Yearly Record Entry
{{CBB Yearly Record Entry
| championship = conference
| season =1987–88
| name =[[1987–88 St. John's Redmen basketball team|St. John's]]
| season = [[1979–80 NCAA Division I men's basketball season|1979–80]]
| name = [[1979–80 St. John's Redmen basketball team|St. John's]]
| overall =17–12
| conference =8–8
| overall = 24–5
| confstanding =T–5th
| conference = 5–1
| confstanding = T–1st
| championship =
| postseason =[[1988 NCAA Men's Division I Basketball Tournament|NCAA First Round]]
| postseason = [[1980 NCAA Division I basketball tournament|NCAA Division I second round]]
}}
}}
{{CBB Yearly Record Entry
{{CBB Yearly Record Entry
| season =1988–89
| season = [[1980–81 NCAA Division I men's basketball season|1980–81]]
| name =[[1988–89 St. John's Redmen basketball team|St. John's]]
| name = [[1980–81 St. John's Redmen basketball team|St. John's]]
| overall =20–13
| overall = 17–11
| conference =6–10
| conference = 8–6
| confstanding =T–7th
| confstanding = T–3rd
| postseason = [[1981 National Invitation Tournament|NIT first round]]
| championship =
| postseason =[[1989 National Invitation Tournament|NIT Champions]]
}}
}}
{{CBB Yearly Record Entry
{{CBB Yearly Record Entry
| season =1989–90
| season = [[1981–82 NCAA Division I men's basketball season|1981–82]]
| name =[[1989–90 St. John's Redmen basketball team|St. John's]]
| name = [[1981–82 St. John's Redmen basketball team|St. John's]]
| overall =24–10
| overall = 21–9
| conference =10–6
| conference = 9–5
| confstanding =4th
| confstanding = 3rd
| postseason =[[1990 NCAA Men's Division I Basketball Tournament|NCAA Second Round]]
| postseason = [[1982 NCAA Division I men's basketball tournament|NCAA Division I second round]]
| championship =
}}
}}
{{CBB Yearly Record Entry
{{CBB Yearly Record Entry
| championship = confboth
| season =1990–91
| season = [[1982–83 NCAA Division I men's basketball season|1982–83]]
| name =St. John's
| name = [[1982–83 St. John's Redmen basketball team|St. John's]]
| overall =23–9
| conference =10–6
| overall = 28–5
| confstanding =2nd
| conference = 12–4
| confstanding = T–1st
| postseason =[[1991 NCAA Men's Division I Basketball Tournament|NCAA Elite Eight]]
| postseason = [[1983 NCAA Division I men's basketball tournament|NCAA Division I Sweet 16]]
| championship =
}}
}}
{{CBB Yearly Record Entry
{{CBB Yearly Record Entry
| season =1991–92
| season = [[1983–84 NCAA Division I men's basketball season|1983–84]]
| name =St. John's
| name = [[1983–84 St. John's Redmen basketball team|St. John's]]
| overall =19–11
| overall = 18–12
| conference =12–6
| conference = 8–8
| confstanding =T–1st
| confstanding = T–4th
| postseason = [[1984 NCAA Division I men's basketball tournament|NCAA Division I first round]]
| championship =conference
}}
| postseason =[[1992 NCAA Men's Division I Basketball Tournament|NCAA First Round]]
{{CBB Yearly Record Entry
| championship = conference
| season = [[1984–85 NCAA Division I men's basketball season|1984–85]]
| name = [[1984–85 St. John's Redmen basketball team|St. John's]]
| overall = 31–4
| conference = 15–1
| confstanding = 1st
| postseason = [[1985 NCAA Division I men's basketball tournament|NCAA Division I Final Four]]
}}
{{CBB Yearly Record Entry
| championship = confboth
| season = [[1985–86 NCAA Division I men's basketball season|1985–86]]
| name = [[1985–86 St. John's Redmen basketball team|St. John's]]
| overall = 31–5
| conference = 14–2
| confstanding = T–1st
| postseason = [[1986 NCAA Division I men's basketball tournament|NCAA Division I second round]]
}}
{{CBB Yearly Record Entry
| season = [[1986–87 NCAA Division I men's basketball season|1986–87]]
| name = [[1986–87 St. John's Redmen basketball team|St. John's]]
| overall = 21–9
| conference = 10–6
| confstanding = T–5th
| postseason = [[1987 NCAA Division I men's basketball tournament|NCAA Division I second round]]
}}
{{CBB Yearly Record Entry
| season = [[1987–88 NCAA Division I men's basketball season|1987–88]]
| name = [[1987–88 St. John's Redmen basketball team|St. John's]]
| overall = 17–12
| conference = 8–8
| confstanding = T–5th
| postseason = [[1988 NCAA Division I men's basketball tournament|NCAA Division I first round]]
}}
{{CBB Yearly Record Entry
| championship = postseason
| season = [[1988–89 NCAA Division I men's basketball season|1988–89]]
| name = [[1988–89 St. John's Redmen basketball team|St. John's]]
| overall = 20–13
| conference = 6–10
| confstanding = T–7th
| postseason = [[1989 National Invitation Tournament|NIT champion]]
}}
{{CBB Yearly Record Entry
| season = [[1989–90 NCAA Division I men's basketball season|1989–90]]
| name = [[1989–90 St. John's Redmen basketball team|St. John's]]
| overall = 24–10
| conference = 10–6
| confstanding = 4th
| postseason = [[1990 NCAA Division I men's basketball tournament|NCAA Division I second round]]
}}
{{CBB Yearly Record Entry
| season = [[1990–91 NCAA Division I men's basketball season|1990–91]]
| name = [[1990–91 St. John's Redmen basketball team|St. John's]]
| overall = 23–9
| conference = 10–6
| confstanding = 2nd
| postseason = [[1991 NCAA Division I men's basketball tournament|NCAA Division I Elite Eight]]
}}
{{CBB Yearly Record Entry
| championship = conference
| season = [[1991–92 NCAA Division I men's basketball season|1991–92]]
| name = [[1991–92 St. John's Redmen basketball team|St. John's]]
| overall = 19–11
| conference = 12–6
| confstanding = T–1st
| postseason = [[1992 NCAA Division I men's basketball tournament|NCAA Division I first round]]
}}
}}
{{CBB Yearly Record Subtotal
{{CBB Yearly Record Subtotal
| name =St. John's
| name = St. John's
| overall =526–200 ({{winpct|526|200}})
| overall = 526–200 ({{winpct|526|200}})
| confrecord =138–75 ({{winpct|138|75}})
| confrecord = 138–75 ({{winpct|138|75}})
}}
}}
{{CBB Yearly Record End
{{CBB Yearly Record End
| overall=526–200 ({{winpct|526|200}})
| overall = 526–200 ({{winpct|526|200}})
}}
}}

===ABA===
{{NBA coach statistics legend}}
{{NBA coach statistics start}}
|-
| align="left" |[[1970-71 New York Nets season|NYN]]
| align="left" |{{abay|1970}}
|84||40||44||.476|| align="center" |3rd in Eastern||6||2||4||.333
| align="center" |Lost in [[1971 ABA playoffs|ABA Division semifinals]]
|-
| align="left" |[[1971-72 New York Nets season|NYN]]
| align="left" |{{abay|1971}}
|84||44||40||.524|| align="center" |3rd in Eastern||19||10||9||.526
| align="center" |Lost in [[1972 ABA playoffs|ABA Finals]]
|-
| align="left" |[[1972-73 New York Nets season|NYN]]
| align="left" |{{abay|1972}}
|84||30||54||.357|| align="center" |4th in Eastern||5||1||4||.200
| align="center" |Lost in [[1973 ABA playoffs|ABA Division semifinals]]
|-class="sortbottom"
| align="left" |'''Career'''
| ||252||114||138||.452|| ||30||13||17||.433
{{s-end}}

==See also==
* [[List of NCAA Division I men's basketball tournament Final Four appearances by coach]]


==References==
==References==
Line 289: Line 408:


==External links==
==External links==
{{commons}}
* {{Basketballhof|louis-p-lou-carnesecca}}
* {{Basketballhof|lou-carnesecca}}

*{{IMDb name| 3382953}}
{{navboxes|list=
{{St. John's Red Storm men's basketball coach navbox}}
{{St. John's Red Storm men's basketball coach navbox}}
{{Brooklyn Nets coach navbox}}
{{Brooklyn Nets coach navbox}}
{{NBA on USA}}
{{NBA on USA}}
{{Big East Conference Men's Basketball Coach of the Year navbox}}
{{Navboxes
| title = Lou Carnesecca—championships, awards, and honors
| list1 =
{{1992 Basketball HOF}}
{{Basketball Hall of Fame coaches}}
{{Henry Iba Award}}
{{Henry Iba Award}}
{{NABC Coach of the Year}}
{{NABC Coach of the Year}}
{{Sporting News Men's College Basketball Coach of the Year}}
{{UPI College Basketball Coach of the Year}}
{{UPI College Basketball Coach of the Year}}
{{Big East Conference Men's Basketball Coach of the Year navbox}}
{{1992 Basketball HOF}}
{{Italian American Sports Hall of Fame}}
{{Basketball Hall of Fame coaches}}
{{National Jewish Sports Hall of Fame}}
}}
}}


{{authority control}}
{{Persondata <!-- Metadata: see [[Wikipedia:Persondata]]. -->

| NAME = Carnesecca, Lou
| ALTERNATIVE NAMES = Carnesecca, Louis P.
| SHORT DESCRIPTION = American basketball player and coach
| DATE OF BIRTH = January 5, 1925
| PLACE OF BIRTH = New York, New York
| DATE OF DEATH =
| PLACE OF DEATH =
}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Carnesecca, Lou}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Carnesecca, Lou}}
[[Category:1925 births]]
[[Category:1925 births]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:2024 deaths]]
[[Category:American basketball coaches]]
[[Category:American military personnel of World War II]]
[[Category:American people of Italian descent]]
[[Category:American people of Italian descent]]
[[Category:Archbishop Molloy High School alumni]]
[[Category:Basketball coaches from New York (state)]]
[[Category:High school basketball coaches in the United States]]
[[Category:High school basketball coaches in New York (state)]]
[[Category:Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame inductees]]
[[Category:Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame inductees]]
[[Category:National Basketball Association broadcasters]]
[[Category:NBA broadcasters]]
[[Category:National Collegiate Basketball Hall of Fame inductees]]
[[Category:National Collegiate Basketball Hall of Fame inductees]]
[[Category:New York Nets head coaches]]
[[Category:New York Nets head coaches]]
[[Category:Sportspeople from New York City]]
[[Category:Basketball players from New York City]]
[[Category:St. Ann's Academy (Manhattan) alumni]]
[[Category:St. John's Red Storm baseball coaches]]
[[Category:St. John's Red Storm baseball players]]
[[Category:St. John's Red Storm baseball players]]
[[Category:St. John's Red Storm men's basketball coaches]]
[[Category:St. John's Red Storm men's basketball coaches]]
[[Category:United States Coast Guard enlisted]]
[[Category:United States Coast Guard personnel of World War II]]

Latest revision as of 18:16, 3 December 2024

Lou Carnesecca
Carnesecca in 2008
Biographical details
Born(1925-01-05)January 5, 1925
New York City, U.S.
DiedNovember 30, 2024(2024-11-30) (aged 99)
Alma materSt. John's
Coaching career (HC unless noted)
1950–1958St. Ann's Academy HS
1958–1965St. John's (assistant)
1965–1970St. John's
1970–1973New York Nets
1973–1992St. John's
Head coaching record
Overall205–34 (high school)
526–200 (college)
114–138 (ABA)
Tournaments17–20 (NCAA Division I)
10–6 (NIT)
Accomplishments and honors
Championships
NCAA Division I Regional – Final Four (1985)
NIT (1989)
5× Big East regular season (1980, 1983, 1985, 1986, 1992)
2× Big East tournament (1983, 1986)
2× CHSAA (1952, 1958)
Awards
2× Henry Iba Award (1983, 1985)
NABC Coach of the Year (1983)
UPI Coach of the Year (1985)
3× Big East Coach of the Year (1983, 1985, 1986)
New York City Basketball Hall of Fame (1993)
Basketball Hall of Fame
Inducted in 1992 (profile)
College Basketball Hall of Fame
Inducted in 2006

Luigi P. Carnesecca (January 5, 1925 – November 30, 2024) was an American men's college basketball coach at St. John's University. Carnesecca also coached at the professional level, leading the New York Nets of the American Basketball Association (ABA) for three seasons. Carnesecca was elected to the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 1992[1] and the New York City Basketball Hall of Fame in 1993.

He coached the St. John's basketball program to 526 wins and 200 losses over 24 seasons (1965–70, 1973–92). The colorful "Looie" (as he was popularly known by fans and by the media) reached the post-season in every season he coached the team, including a Final Four appearance in 1985. He was selected as the National Coach of the Year in 1983 and 1985 by the U.S. Basketball Writers Association.

Carnesecca was widely known for his sense of humor and his signature sweaters.[2] In November 2004, St. John's University officially dedicated and renamed the historic Alumni Hall to Carnesecca Arena.

Early life and education

[edit]

The son of Italian immigrants, Carnesecca was born in New York City on January 5, 1925.[2] He attended high school at St. Ann's Academy in Manhattan (now Archbishop Molloy High School). Upon graduation, he served for three years in the U.S. Coast Guard during World War II, where he served on a troop transport in the Pacific theater.[3][4]

Basketball career

[edit]

Upon discharge from the Coast Guard, he then enrolled at St. John's and graduated in 1950. He also coached his high school alma mater, St. Ann's, where he was succeeded by Jack Curran.[citation needed]

After beginning his coaching career at St. John's in 1965, Carnesecca jumped to the pro level. He was head coach and general manager of the ABA's New York Nets for three seasons from 1970 to 1973. The ballclub qualified for the postseason in each of the three campaigns with Carnesecca at the helm. The 1971–72 Nets finished third in the regular season but reached the ABA Finals, where they were defeated by the Indiana Pacers in six games. Despite the loss of Rick Barry and a 30–53 record, the Nets edged out the Memphis Tams for fourth place and the final playoff berth in the Eastern Division in 1972–73.[5]

Carnesecca announced his return to St. John's on March 27, 1973. He replaced Frank Mulzoff, his successor from three years earlier who had resigned after a 19–7 campaign. He had two years out of a total of five remaining on his Nets contract in which he was to have received about $200,000 spread over seven years. His $22,000 salary at St. John's meant that he took a financial loss in the transition. He explained, "I've had my whack at pro ball and I'm very happy with it. But when the opportunity arose to return to St. John's, I wanted to go back."[5]

Carnesecca was also a longtime announcer for the USA Network's coverage of the yearly NBA drafts of the 1980s.[citation needed]

Personal life and death

[edit]

Carnesecca married Mary Chiesa in 1951, and they had one daughter.[6] Carnesecca died on November 30, 2024, at the age of 99.[6]

Head coaching record

[edit]

High school

[edit]
Statistics overview
Season Team Overall Conference Standing Postseason
St. Ann's Academy / Archbishop Molloy High School (Catholic High School Athletic Association) (1950–1958)
1950–51 St. Ann's 13–11
1951–52 St. Ann's 24–6 CHSAA Champion
1952–53 St. Ann's 26–5
1953–54 St. Ann's 29–1 CHSAA Final
1954–55 St. Ann's 26–4
1955–56 St. Ann's 26–4 CHSAA Final
1956–57 St. Ann's 29–3
1957–58 Archbishop Molloy 32–0 CHSAA Champion
St. Ann's / Archbishop Molloy: 205–34 (.858)
Total: 205–34 (.858)

      National champion         Postseason invitational champion  
      Conference regular season champion         Conference regular season and conference tournament champion
      Division regular season champion       Division regular season and conference tournament champion
      Conference tournament champion

College

[edit]
Statistics overview
Season Team Overall Conference Standing Postseason
St. John's Redmen (NCAA University Division independent) (1965–1970)
1965–66 St. John's 18–8 NIT first round
1966–67 St. John's 23–5 NCAA University Division Regional Fourth Place
1967–68 St. John's 19–8 NCAA University Division first round
1968–69 St. John's 23–6 NCAA University Division Regional Fourth Place
1969–70 St. John's 21–8 NIT Runner-up
St. John's Redmen (NCAA Division I independent) (1973–1976)
1973–74 St. John's 20–7 NIT first round
1974–75 St. John's 21–10 NIT semifinal
1975–76 St. John's 23–6 NCAA Division I first round
St. John's Redmen (New Jersey-New York 7 Conference) (1976–1979)
1976–77 St. John's 22–9 3–2 T–3rd NCAA Division I first round
1977–78 St. John's 21–7 5–1 T–1st NCAA Division I first round
1978–79 St. John's 21–11 3–3 T–3rd NCAA Division I Elite Eight
St. John's Redmen (Big East Conference) (1979–1992)
1979–80 St. John's 24–5 5–1 T–1st NCAA Division I second round
1980–81 St. John's 17–11 8–6 T–3rd NIT first round
1981–82 St. John's 21–9 9–5 3rd NCAA Division I second round
1982–83 St. John's 28–5 12–4 T–1st NCAA Division I Sweet 16
1983–84 St. John's 18–12 8–8 T–4th NCAA Division I first round
1984–85 St. John's 31–4 15–1 1st NCAA Division I Final Four
1985–86 St. John's 31–5 14–2 T–1st NCAA Division I second round
1986–87 St. John's 21–9 10–6 T–5th NCAA Division I second round
1987–88 St. John's 17–12 8–8 T–5th NCAA Division I first round
1988–89 St. John's 20–13 6–10 T–7th NIT champion
1989–90 St. John's 24–10 10–6 4th NCAA Division I second round
1990–91 St. John's 23–9 10–6 2nd NCAA Division I Elite Eight
1991–92 St. John's 19–11 12–6 T–1st NCAA Division I first round
St. John's: 526–200 (.725) 138–75 (.648)
Total: 526–200 (.725)

      National champion         Postseason invitational champion  
      Conference regular season champion         Conference regular season and conference tournament champion
      Division regular season champion       Division regular season and conference tournament champion
      Conference tournament champion

ABA

[edit]
Legend
Regular season G Games coached W Games won L Games lost W–L % Win–loss %
Playoffs PG Playoff games PW Playoff wins PL Playoff losses PW–L % Playoff win–loss %
Team Year G W L W–L% Finish PG PW PL PW–L% Result
NYN 1970–71 84 40 44 .476 3rd in Eastern 6 2 4 .333 Lost in ABA Division semifinals
NYN 1971–72 84 44 40 .524 3rd in Eastern 19 10 9 .526 Lost in ABA Finals
NYN 1972–73 84 30 54 .357 4th in Eastern 5 1 4 .200 Lost in ABA Division semifinals
Career 252 114 138 .452 30 13 17 .433

See also

[edit]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ "The Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame - Hall of Famers Index". Archived from the original on 2009-07-18.
  2. ^ a b Goldstein, Richard (November 30, 2024). "Lou Carnesecca, St. John's Basketball Coach With 526 Wins, Is Dead at 99". The New York Times. Retrieved December 1, 2024.
  3. ^ Robertson, Linda (October 25, 2018). "At St. John's, Carnesecca has been part of the neighborhood for nearly 45 years". tribunedigital-baltimoresun. Retrieved December 2, 2024.
  4. ^ Porter, David L. (ed.). "Carnesecca, Luigi 'Lou' 'Louie'", Basketball: A Biographical Dictionary, Greenwood Press, Westport, Connecticut, 2005, page 70. ISBN 0-313-30952-3
  5. ^ a b Goldaper, Sam (1973-03-28). "Carnesecca Rounds Out Cycle, Returns to Redmen". The New York Times. Retrieved 2024-12-02.
  6. ^ a b Jeansonne, John (2024-12-01). "Lou Carnesecca, St. John's legendary coach, dies at 99". Newsday. Retrieved 2024-12-01.
[edit]
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