Dale Brown, LSU coach who discovered Shaquille O'Neal, dies at 90
Dale Brown, the LSU basketball coach credited with discovering a 13-year-old Shaquille O'Neal, has passed away one week shy of his 91st birthday.
TL;DR
- Dale Brown, the LSU basketball coach who discovered Shaquille O'Neal, died at 90.
- He was named the 2027 recipient of the John R Wooden Legends of Coaching award.
- Brown coached at LSU for 25 years, achieving the most wins in program history and leading the team to two NCAA Final Fours.
- He coached Shaquille O'Neal for three seasons, offering him a scholarship when O'Neal was 13.
- Brown's final years were affected by an NCAA investigation into recruiting tactics.
- He remained popular in Louisiana and was inducted into the Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame.
- LSU's home basketball court was named for him in 2022.
- After retirement, Brown became a motivational speaker, basketball analyst, and founded the Dale Brown Foundation to promote educational opportunities.