Dana Kirk, who coached the Memphis Tiger basketball team from 1979 through 1985 passed away on Monday after apparently suffering a heart attack.
The story from the Memphis Commercial Appeal RIGHT HERE
((Dana Kirk File Photo//Courtesy: David Smart-The Commercial Appeal))
Kirk, who was 74 when he passed away led the first successful run for the Tigers, bringing them to the Final Four in 1985. Those of you old enough to remember might recognize that this was the Keith Lee team that went 31-4 during the season.
Kirk was let go after that season when it revealed that he illegally paid Lee and eventually was indicted on 11 different Federal Counts. He also had allegedly scalped tickets and solicited kickbacks from tournament promoters.He was convicted of 5 of them and served time in prison. The program would be forced to forfeit the Final Four appearance and served a two year probation. That would affect the 1987 team who won their conference, but was unable to play in the Tournament.
He would eventually make his way back to Memphis (no, not walking), where he ended up hosting a radio show for several years and had been seen at events all through the mid-south region.
Here is the story from our friends at WREG-TV in Memphis:
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