01/13/26 12:28:00
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01/13 12:26 CST Temple assistant and former Cornell coach Bill Courtney dies at
55
Temple assistant and former Cornell coach Bill Courtney dies at 55
PHILADELPHIA (AP) --- Temple assistant and former Cornell coach Bill Courtney
has died, the Owls announced Tuesday. He was 55.
Temple called Courtney's death a "sudden passing" and did not provide more
details.
"I am shocked and heartbroken by the tragic news and passing of my close friend
Bill Courtney," Temple coach Adam Fisher said. "Bill made such a big impact on
our program in such a short time. He was one of the most respected coaches in
the country --- thoughtful, prepared and deeply committed to the game and to
winning the right way.
"Bill made every program he touched better, and his loss is felt profoundly by
everyone who knew him. Our thoughts and prayers go out to Bill's family during
this extremely difficult time."
Courtney joined Temple in June 2025, bringing more than 30 years of college
coaching experience to Philadelphia. Before that, he spent five seasons at
Miami and advanced to the NCAA Tournament three times, including a Final Four
appearance in 2023. He was named Miami's interim coach for the final 19 games
last year following Jim Larraaga's retirement.
"I was shocked and saddened to learn of the sudden passing of coach Bill
Courtney," Temple athletic director Arthur Johnson said. "In the short time
that he has been part of the Temple family, I saw the impact that he had on our
program with the joy that exuded from him on and off the court. He will be
missed by his immediate family, his Temple basketball family, and the greater
basketball community."
A native of Alexandria, Virginia, Courtney was a standout collegiate player at
Bucknell, where he earned All-Patriot League honors and graduated in 1992 with
a degree in education.
His coaching stops include American, Bowling Green, George Mason, Providence,
Virginia, Virginia Tech and DePaul. He also served as Cornell's coach for six
seasons (2010-16).
"In over 30 years as a basketball coach, Courtney had a profound impact on his
colleagues and student-athletes," American Conference Commissioner Tim Pernetti
said. "He helped lead Miami to the Final Four and programs to nine postseason
tournaments, but his affect on the lives of the student-athletes and coaches
who worked with him will be his ultimate legacy."
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