Jud Heathcote

Jud Heathcote
Biographical details
Born(1927-05-27)May 27, 1927
Harvey, North Dakota, U.S.
DiedAugust 28, 2017(2017-08-28) (aged 90)
Spokane, Washington, U.S.
Playing career
1946–1949Washington State
Coaching career (HC unless noted)
1950–1964West Valley HS (WA)
1964–1971Washington State (assistant)
1971–1976Montana
1976–1995Michigan State
Head coaching record
Overall419–274 (college)
Accomplishments and honors
Championships
NCAA Division I tournament (1979)
2 Big Sky regular season (1975, 1976)
3 Big Ten regular season (1978, 1979, 1990)
Awards
NABC Coach of the Year (1990)
Sporting News Coach of the Year Award (1995)
Big Sky Coach of the Year (1975)
Big Ten Coach of the Year (1978, 1986)
College Basketball Hall of Fame
Inducted in 2009

George Melvin "Jud" Heathcote (May 27, 1927 – August 28, 2017) was an American basketball player and coach.[1] He was a college basketball head coach for 24 seasons: five at the University of Montana (1971–1976)[2] and nineteen at Michigan State University (1976–1995). Heathcote coached Magic Johnson during his two years at Michigan State, concluding with the 1979 national championship season.[3] He also coached the University of Montana to a national handball championship in 1974.

  1. ^ Blanchette, John (August 28, 2017). "Spokane's Jud Heathcote, longtime coach at Michigan State, dies at 90". Spokesman-Review. (Spokane, Washington).
  2. ^ "The heart of Grizzly basketball goes quiet". University of Montana Athletics. August 29, 2017. Retrieved August 29, 2017.
  3. ^ Keith, Larry (April 2, 1979). "They caged the Bird". Sports Illustrated. p. 16.