EL PASO, Texas – The glow from Don Haskins’ greatest triumph was mostly a memory when Disney decided to take another look.
Then came the movie “Glory Road” and a whole new generation learned about his career and legacy.
Haskins, the Hall of Fame coach credited with helping break color barriers in college sports in 1966 when he used five black starters to win a national basketball title for Texas Western, died Sunday. He was 78.
Dr. Dwayne Aboud, Haskins’ physician, told reporters Sunday that Haskins had been suffering from congestive heart failure and died at home about 4:30 p.m. He was surrounded by friends and relatives, Aboud said.
“The myth that surrounds Don Haskins in the movie ‘Glory Road’ and what he did for black players is better said that he cared like that for all his players,” Bob Knight said. “To me that tells me more about the man than anything. … There was never anyone like him before and there will never be one like him again.”
Haskins retired in 1999 after 38 seasons at the school. He had a 719-353 record and won seven Western Athletic Conference titles. He took the school, which would eventually change its name to Texas El-Paso, to 14 NCAA tournaments and to the NIT seven times, and briefly worked as an adviser with the Chicago Bulls.