Denzel Edwin Crum aka Denny Crum was one of the most respected basketball coaches in college history. He led the University of Louisville’s men’s basketball team for three decades, helping the team achieve great success. With a coaching record of 675–295 (.696), Crum guided the Cardinals to six Final Fours and two NCAA championships.
In 1994, Crum was placed in the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame. Leaving a major impact on the sport, Crum passed away in 2023, at the age of 86. Despite him being gone, people still remember him and are curious to learn about his success story. So, here we are with the details you want to know.
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Early Life
Denny Crum was born on 2nd March 1937, in San Fernando, California. From a young age, he was very passionate about basketball. He started playing basketball in his high school days and perfected his skills in college.
For schooling, Crum attended San Fernando High School and completed his graduation in 1955. Later, he joined Los Angeles Pierce College, where he played the sport from 1955 to 1957. After that, he was transferred to UCLA, where he played for the UCLA Bruins and earned the Bruin Bench Award for being the most improved player of the year.
Beginning of Career
Denny Crum started his coaching journey after completing his graduation in 1959. At that time, he coached the basketball team at UCLA.
During his time at UCLA, the team won several national championships. This made Crum one of the greatest coaches of his time. His success caught the attention of the University of Louisville, which he joined as a head coach in 1971.
Shot to Fame
Crum’s big career break arrived when he took over as head coach of Louisville in 1971. Under his leadership, the Cardinals became one of the top teams in college basketball. In 1980, he led the team to its first NCAA championship. This was a historic moment for Louisville and established Crum as one of the best coaches in the country.
Six years later in 1986, the Cardinals once again won the title under his guidance. This further solidified his reputation as a basketball coach. Crum reached the NCAA Final Four six times during his career.
Relationship
Denny Crum married three times. His third wife was Susan Sweeney Crum, a former news anchor and radio journalist. The two tied the knot in 2001 and remained together till Crum passed away on 9th May 2023. Few years before his death, Crum suffered two major strokes in 2017 and 2019.
Major Source of Income and Net Worth
At the time of his death, Denny Crum’s net worth was between $3-5 million. As a successful college basketball coach, Crum earned a significant amount. His main source of income came from his salary at the University of Louisville. Additionally, he made money from speaking engagements, and other basketball-related events. He also co-hosted a radio show from 2004 to 2014, which further added to his earnings.
