The university reported that Carnesecca died on Saturday in a hospital, surrounded by his family, following a notification from a family member. St. John’s University expressed that Carnesecca “endeared himself to generations of New Yorkers with his wit and warmth.”
As a beloved personality in the New York sports landscape, Carnesecca earned admiration and respect throughout his coaching career, showcasing an unwavering connection with fans in a city known for its often impatient attitude towards sports figures.
Over two tenures totaling 24 seasons, he led St. John’s to postseason tournaments each year and became a defining figure for the university, with its home arena in Queens eventually being named in his honor. A statue celebrating his legacy was unveiled prior to the commencement of the 2021-22 season. When reflecting on what St. John’s represented, he once described it simply as “home.”
It was there that Carnesecca coached the team to 18 seasons with at least 20 wins and secured 18 appearances in the NCAA Tournament. His coaching record culminated in an impressive 526-300, including two seasons with 30 wins each in 1985 and 1986. During this period, St. John’s played a crucial role in the establishment of the Big East Conference.
Renowned for his exceptional coaching skills, he was honored as coach of the year three times in a league that emerged in 1979 and quickly rose to become one of the most competitive in the country. Some of his notable players during the formative years of the Big East included Chris Mullin, Mark Jackson, and Walter Berry.
In 1989, Carnesecca guided St. John’s to the NIT championship, although the tournament had lost some of its prestige compared to the NCAA tournament by that time. In 1992, the year he retired, he was inducted into the Basketball Hall of Fame. At his induction ceremony, he humorously remarked, “I never scored a basket,” opting for a suit instead of his signature sweater. He emphasized the importance of players, stating, “Without players, you can’t have a game.”
