`Terrific' former OU assistant coach dies at 55
NORMAN — Lew Hill's eyes lit up when he started talking about Isaiah Cousins.
Hill, the former OU assistant who was a major key in bringing Cousins and other Sooners into the program leading up to the 2016 Final Four run, had a special bond with Cousins.
Both grew up in Mount Vernon, New York, tucked just north of the Bronx. Both used basketball to get away to a different environment.
“He' s me ,” Hill said of Cousins during Cousins' time at OU. “That's what I tell him, he was me. I went through the same stuff.”
Hill, who was an assistant under Lon Kruger at both UN L Van dO U before leaving to begin his head coaching career at Texas-Rio Grande Valley, died Sunday.
He was 55.
“Our world has lost a special person with the passing of Lew Hill,” Sooners coach Lon Kruger said in a statement.
“A terrific basketball coach and a much better husband, father and friend. Lew represented the best of all we could want in our leaders and anyone working with young people in any walk. All who knew Lew are comforted by the many wonderful and loving memories. We are heartbroken for Renee, L.J. and Elle. Our thoughts and prayers are with Lew's entire family.”
Hill was in his fifth season coaching UTRGV, going 67-77 over the past five seasons.
“My prayers and condolences goes out ( to) the Hill family ,” former So one rs star Buddy Hield posted on Twitter. “I will always cherish moments we had together. May your Soul Rest in Peace … love you man.”
The Vaqueros were off to an 8- 4 start this season, falling at Texas Southern 77-75 on Saturday night with Hill on the sidelines.
According to The Stadium's Jeff Goodman, who first reported Hill's death, Hill had recently battled C OVID -19 and was set to step aside for the rest of the season before his death. Goodman reported Hill had other previous medical issues.
Hill ' s death brought an out pouring from around the basketball community.
“Lew Hill my friend. You always treated me the same no matter what logo I had on my shirt. Big time coach and even better person ,” Texas Tech coach Chris Beard tweeted.
Oklahoma State coach Mike Boynton, like Hill a New York native, tweeted condolences as well.
“One of the best dudes I've ever come in contact with,” Boynton tweeted. “The Lord doesn't make mistakes and his grace is sufficient. May he guide the hearts and minds of his family and his program.”
Hill grew up in Mount Vernon before becoming an All- American point guard at San J ac into Junior College, helping lead the school to the 1984 NJ CA A national title.
He transferred to Wichita State, where he played for Eddie Fogler and helped the Shockers to a ber thin the 1988 NCAA Tournament.
“He was very wellrespected and very well-liked throughout college basketball,” Fogler told Go Shockers. com. “Very outgoing. Funny. Engaging. All about the team. Winning was very
important to Lew and he really understood it was a team effort.”
Hill first joined up with Kruger in 2004 when Kruger returned to college basketball to coach UNLV.
The pair coached together for 12 seasons, making the NCAA Tournament eight times, before Hill got the job at UTRGV. The job was special to Kruger because it was where Kruger started his own head coaching career, back when t he school was known as Texas-Pan American.
With the Sooners, he brought in and developed plenty of standout players, including Cousins and TaShawn Thomas.
The bond with Cousins was a special one for Hill because of their shared background.
As Cousins got more and more comfortable with Norman, and let his stoic facade fade a bit, Hill spoke proudly of Cousins' development.
“It's like we've got a big brick wall there and we just chisel it out and it just starts falling apart,” Hill said then. “He's just understanding that you can have fun. Everything ain't a grind. Everything ain't being made at somebody. There's people out here you can trust.”
And Cousins—and the rest of the Sooners — trusted Hill.
Hill is survived by his wife, Renee, and t heir two children, LJ and Elle, as well as three other daughters — Sierra, Erica and Asya.
“Just crushing news,” OU athletic director Joe Casti gl i one posted on Twitter. “No words. Lew was so well-respected/ loved by all during his years at OU. We closely followed/cheered for his success since. Heartbroken for Renee and the kids. Lew always worked f or everyone's best interests. Players loved him. Rest in Peace Coach.”