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Former Wake Forest basketball coach Carl Tacy dies at 87

Posted April 02, 2020 7:00 am

The Associated Press

In this 1975-76 season photo, Wake Forest coach Carl Tacy coaches the Deacons during the an NCAA college basketball game. Tacy, the Former Wake Forest and Marshall basketball coach, died died early Thursday, April 2, 2020. He was 87. (The Winston-Salem Journal via AP) The Associated Press

WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. (AP) - Former Wake Forest and Marshall basketball coach Carl Tacy has died. He was 87.

Tacy's son, Carl Jr., told The Associated Press his father died early Thursday. He had been transferred from a hospital to hospice care in Yadkinville, North Carolina last week following a December diagnosis of leukemia.

Tacy spent a year as Marshall's head coach before 13 seasons with the Demon Deacons from 1973-85, compiling a 222-149 record for the third-most wins in school history. That included appearances in three NCAA Tournaments and two NITs.

The Demon Deacons reached NCAA regional finals in 1977 and 1984, the latter featuring an overtime upset of top-seeded DePaul.

Former Wake Forest head coach Dave Odom, an assistant under Tacy, said the coach's nickname of 'œGentleman Carl'ť was well-earned.

'œIn my opinion, he was never given the credit he deserved as a basketball coach,'ť Odom said in a statement released by the school. 'œHe was a terrific tactician, teacher, and a fearless competitor who relished big games against the ACC's best.'ť

Tacy resigned after the 1985 season and never coached again. He was inducted into the Wake Forest Sports Hall of Fame that year and had come to Demon Deacons sporting events while living in Winston-Salem in recent years.

'œI don't think he necessarily missed the grind of recruiting," Tacy Jr. said. "I think that's true for a lot of coaches. ... But I think he missed the Xs and Os of the game though a lot.'ť

Tacy Jr. said the immediate family with have a memorial service this week but is holding off on a public gathering due to concerns about the coronavirus pandemic.

Tacy is also survived by his wife Donnie, and daughters Beth Tacy Kelly and Carla Tacy.

___

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In this Feb. 28, 1976, file photo, Wake Forest basketball coach Carl Tacy talks to his players during an NCAA college basketball game against North Carolina State. Tacy, the Former Wake Forest and Marshall basketball coach, died died early Thursday, April 2, 2020. He was 87. (The Winston-Salem Journal via AP) The Associated Press

FILE - In this March 24, 1984, file photo, Wake Forest coach Carl Tacy, left, leaves the court with members of his team following their 73-71 victory over DePaul in the semifinals of the NCAA Midwest Regional in St. Louis, Mo. ASt right is Wake Forest's Kenny Green (21). Former Wake Forest and Marshall basketball coach Carl Tacy has died at 87. Tacy's son, Carl Jr., told The Associated Press his father died early Thursday, April 2, 2020. (AP Photo/File) The Associated Press

FILE - In this Dec. 28, 1982, file photo, Madison Square Garden Director of Intercollegiate Athletics Frank McGuire, left, jokes with Wake Forest coach Carl Tacy, center, and St. John's coach Lou Carnesecca during a basketball luncheon in New York. Former Wake Forest and Marshall basketball coach Carl Tacy has died at 87. Tacy's son, Carl Jr., told The Associated Press his father died early Thursday, April 2, 2020. (AP Photo/Mark Elias, File) The Associated Press

In this Jan. 14, 1984 photo, Wake Forest basketball coach Carl Tacy coaches the Deacons during an NCAA college basketball game against North Carolina in Winston-Salem N.C. Tacy, the Former Wake Forest and Marshall basketball coach, died died early Thursday, April 2, 2020. He was 87. (Tom Rogers/The Winston-Salem Journal via AP) The Associated Press

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