Denzel Edwin Crum, the legendary American basketball coach, passed away on May 9, 2023, at the age of 86, in his home. The University of Louisville, where he spent over three decades as head coach, confirmed his death in a statement released after receiving the news from his wife, Susan.
Following the announcement of Denzel Edwin Crum’s passing, there has been a great deal of speculation regarding the cause of his death. Many have been eager to know if he had been suffering from a particular illness or disease before his passing. Keep reading to learn more.
Denzel Edwin Crum was an American basketball coach who left an indelible mark on the sport. He spent three decades as the head coach at the University of Louisville and led the Cardinals to two NCAA championships and six Final Fours.
Before his coaching career took off, Crum played college ball for the legendary John Wooden at UCLA. He was part of the Bruins’ coaching staff when they won three consecutive national championships in the 1960s.
Crum’s accomplishments as a coach are numerous, and he was recognized with several national and conference coach of the year awards during his career. In 2002, Crum was honored with the Legends of Coaching award, recognizing his character, success rate on the court, and commitment to his student-athletes.
Beyond basketball, Crum was a man of many interests. He was a professional poker player and a collector of western novels by Louis L’Amour.
In recognition of his contributions to Louisville basketball, the University of Louisville named its home court “Denny Crum Court” in 2007. In 2010, Crum was also inducted into the athletic hall of fame at Pierce College, where he once served as the head coach.
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What Illness Or Disease Did Denny Crum Have?
Throughout his life, Denny Crum battled one of the most challenging illnesses – stroke. In 2017, he got a stroke during a fishing trip in Alaska. Crum collapsed but luckily the guide called for medical assistance and he received lifesaving treatment at the nearest hospital. His second stroke occurred in 2019, despite being in good health and taking medication for atrial fibrillation. This time, he suffered a brain bleed, which affected the right side of his body and his ability to swallow.
After his first stroke, Crum’s wife educated herself about the signs of stroke and took him to Norton Brownsboro Hospital, which was equipped to treat complex stroke cases. When he suffered his second stroke, doctors were quick to diagnose the brain bleed and provide the necessary treatment. Crum spent time in the hospital and underwent rehabilitation. Unfortunately, Denny Crum passed away on May 9, 2023, at the age of 86, although no information was given about the cause of his death.