Jack Curran Dies: Legendary High School Coach Passes At 82

Jack Curran, a legendary high school coach, died at the age of 82 on Thursday of lung and kidney problems. Despite undergoing dialysis three days a week for the past few years, Curran rarely missed a day of school.

Curran was a legend at Archbishop Molly High School who spent more than 50 years compiling records in basketball and baseball that may never be beaten.

Naismith Memorial Hall of Fame coach Lou Carnesecca, who was succeeded by Curran at Molloy, stated:

“He was one of the true saints in scholastic sports. I can’t think of anyone with a better record for two sports than Jack. His records will always stand and be tough to break.”

Along with helping his students break several records, Curran also had a baseball career of his own. He played in the minor leagues for the Dodgers and the Phillies. He also earned a spot in nine different Hall of Fames, including the New York City Basketball Hall of Fame.

Jack Curran was also the only person to be named national coach of the year in two different sports. He has received the CHSAA Coach of the Year award 25 times in baseball and 22 times in basketball. He also won several city championships.

Curran helped coach his teams to 17 city championships in baseball and five in basketball. His record in basketball was 972-437 and in baseball it was an even more impressive 1,708-523. Former players on the coach’s teams included Kenny Smith, Kenny Anderson, Russ Smith, and 1972 Olympian Kevin Joyce.

His former students often returned to visit Jack Curran, according to Molloy’s President Richard Karsten. Karsten added, “He had the respect of so many young players.” Kenny Anderson, who went on to play for Georgia Tech and also the NBC, stated of Curran:

“I’m going to miss him. He was everything to me, and to my mom, my family. He treated everyone with respect. He taught me a lot of things. Today was definitely Coach Curran day for me, and it will be the rest of my life.”

Funeral arrangements for Jack Curran are not yet known. His official cause of death was also not released.