Jerry Tarkanian was a character. They don't make coaches like "Tark the Shark" anymore.
He followed his own beat, sometimes to the tune of being reviled and rebuked by the NCAA. At the same time he was beloved and celebrated by the players he mentored and the schools he coached at, particularly UNLV.
Tarkananian passed away on Wednesday at age 84. Here is some of the reaction from Twitter:
RIP, Coach #Tark. pic.twitter.com/agvXuO1TYw
— UNLV Athletics (@UNLVathletics) February 11, 2015
I used to be Jerry Tarkanian's producer for his radio show in Fresno. My quick story on the type of man he was. RIP. pic.twitter.com/QXdsaFkfo8
— Chris Haynes (@ChrisBHaynes) February 11, 2015
Believe it or not, kids, Jerry Tarkanian made this really cool back in the early 1990s pic.twitter.com/IafdysGFc5
— Michael Lee (@MrMichaelLee) February 11, 2015
#RIP to the "Shark" Jerry Tarkanian brother! 2 great basketball coaches pass in less than a week! #WWE pic.twitter.com/ePtKAKE5L9
— Hulk Hogan WWE (@HulksHead) February 11, 2015
we loved you Tark #UNLV
— Jimmy Kimmel (@jimmykimmel) February 11, 2015
Fresno State mourns the passing of basketball legend Jerry Tarkanian. pic.twitter.com/b0e1rvWP8f
— FresnoState Bulldogs (@FSAthletics) February 11, 2015
Coach Tark was a difference maker to all of us. Life changer. Legend. RIP, Coach Tark. #UnlvFamily
— Dave Rice (@CoachDaveRice) February 11, 2015
