On Monday, November 17, 2008, Pete Newell passed away and left behind a legacy as one of the greatest basketball teachers and coaches in the history of the game. Newell was the first coach to ever win the NCAA, NIT and Olympic gold medal. Over 15 years on the sidelines he compiled a 234-123 record at the University of San Francisco, Michigan State University and Cal Berkeley. His lessons have been etched in the minds of all of his successors, particularly Bobby Knight:"In all of sport, I think Pete is the least-known outstanding figure there is," Knight said. "He was at his best at a time when media coverage was nothing like it is now. Just imagine if he won the NCAA title today, went back to the title game the following year, then coached the Olympic team. He'd be at the forefront of everything. And he's so unusual, he has no animosities, no regrets whatsoever about leaving coaching when he did. You never hear, 'Boy, I wish I could have. . . . ' He is more at peace with himself and what he's done than any person I've known in my life."
