Remembering Terry Holland A Legacy in College Basketball

Terry Holland, a legendary figure in college basketball, passed away on March 15, 2021, at 78. Holland was a former player, coach, and athletic director best known for his successful tenure at the University of Virginia. In this article, we will remember Holland’s life and legacy, including his early years, coaching career, and impact on basketball.

A Basketball Player

Terry Holland was born on March 15, 1943, in Clinton, North Carolina. He grew up playing basketball and attended Davidson College, where he played as a guard on the basketball team. Holland graduated in 1964 with a physical education degree and earned a master’s degree from Virginia Commonwealth University.

Building a Legacy

After earning his master’s degree, Holland began his coaching career at Davidson as an assistant coach. He was later hired as the head coach at the University of Virginia in 1974, where he would spend the next 16 seasons. Holland transformed the Virginia basketball program into a national contender, leading the team to four ACC regular-season titles and one ACC tournament championship.

In 1981, Holland coached Virginia to the NCAA Final Four, where they lost to North Carolina in the semifinals. The following year, Virginia won the ACC regular-season title and advanced to the Elite Eight of the NCAA tournament. Holland’s teams were known for their disciplined and efficient style of play, focusing on defence and ball control.

Holland retired from coaching in 1990 with a career record of 326-173. In 2018, he was inducted into the National Collegiate Basketball Hall of Fame.

Impact on College Basketball

Terry Holland’s impact on college basketball extends far beyond his coaching record. He was a vocal advocate for student-athletes and was instrumental in creating the NCAA’s student-athlete advisory committee. He also served on numerous NCAA committees and was a strong proponent of academic and athletic integrity.

In addition to his work with the NCAA, Holland pioneered the use of technology in basketball. He was one of the first coaches to use video analysis to improve his team’s performance and was an early adopter of analytics and statistics in scouting and game planning.

Terry Holland’s legacy in college basketball is felt to this day. His disciplined and efficient style of play has influenced countless coaches and players, and his advocacy for student-athletes has helped shape NCAA policy.

Remembering Terry Holland

Terry Holland’s passing was met with an outpouring of grief and appreciation from the basketball community. Coaches, players, and fans expressed their condolences and shared memories of Holland’s impact on the sport.

Virginia head coach Tony Bennett, who played for Holland at Virginia, said, “I’m so grateful for Coach Holland and his impact on my life. He was a great coach, mentor, and friend, and I will miss him dearly.”

ACC commissioner Jim Phillips said, “Terry Holland was a true ambassador for college basketball and a person of great character and integrity. He was a remarkable coach, leader, and advocate for student-athletes, and his legacy will endure.”