The LSU basketball community is mourning as the start of the 2026-27 season approaches. Legendary former LSU coach Dale Brown died Friday, Oct. 23. He was 90 years old.
The news of Brown's death sent ripples through not only the Baton Rouge community where he spent 25 seasons, but the entire sports world. Brown, who was also known as "Daddy Dale", remains LSU's all-time winningest coach with 448 wins while leading the Tigers to two NCAA Final Four appearances.
His death comes just two days after LSU announced he had been selected to receive the 2027 John R. Wooden Legends of Coaching Award. Beyond the wins and March Madness runs, Brown was known for a people-first approach in coaching. Brown's death has prompted not only a reflection on his time at the helm of the men's basketball program but his lasting impact throughout the university.
Louisiana Gov. Jeff Landry credited Brown for putting "LSU basketball on the map" in a post he made on X on Friday.
"Saddened to hear the news of Coach Dale Brown’s passing," Landry wrote. "He put LSU Basketball on the map and his impact will be felt for decades to come. Sharon and I join the Brown family and the LSU community in mourning this monumental loss. While we will miss him, I’m confident that his legacy will be carried on both on and off the basketball court. May he rest in peace."
Brown's family also released a statement:
"We have lost the most loving and most loved man any of us has ever known. Dale Brown always put others first. He always led with the heart. He was always a great humanitarian before anything else. Dale long ago fell in love with Louisiana. And the people of Louisiana loved him right back. We are forever grateful for that."
(This story will be updated.)
REQUIRED READING: LSU men's basketball roster grows as Skyy Clark, Donovan Dent cleared
REQUIRED READING: LSU men's basketball roster: What to know about who will play for Tigers
Shannon Belt covers high school sports and the Louisiana Ragin’ Cajuns for The Daily Advertiser as part of the USA TODAY Network. Follow her high school and Cajuns coverage on Twitter: @ShannonBelt3. Got questions regarding HS/UL athletics? Send them to Shannon Belt at sbelt@gannett.com.
This article originally appeared on Lafayette Daily Advertiser: LSU sports community reacts to the death of legendary coach Dale Brown