Billy Tubbs was always a familiar face around Norman, Oklahoma. Even beyond his time of bringing Oklahoma basketball to prominence.
The Sooners were legendary. Wayman Tisdale, Stacey King, Mookie Blaylock and Billy Ball was real. Oklahoma had reached the NCAA Tournament one time over the 32 years prior to Tubbs taking over prior to the 1980 season. The Sooners went eight teams in his 14 seasons.
On Sunday, though, the bad news came. Tubbs had been moved to hospice on Friday. He passed away early Sunday morningย from a form of leukemia at the age of 85 in Norman.
Tubbs and Oklahoma basketball is synonymous in the sport. His teams scored at a record pace, with the 1987-88 team’sย 4,012 total points remaining to be the most for a single season by any team in NCAA history.
From opponents, to colleagues, to media who covered him, here is how Twitter reacted to the death of Tubbs.
Sending our deepest sympathies to the family of Billy Tubbs and @OU_MBBall. Weโll always remember coach Tubbs as an ambassador for the game and a great Bedlam rival. pic.twitter.com/ZvGTqqSIcb
— OSU Cowboy Basketball (@OSUMBB) November 1, 2020
Rest In Peace Coach Billy Tubbs๐๐ฝ๐ #LegacyLivesForever pic.twitter.com/uUsl6oncWs
— Trae Young (@TheTraeYoung) November 1, 2020
I lost my college coach today Billy Tubbs a true Sooner coaching legend. Words can not describe the love and respect that I had for this man and his family. My sincere condolences go out to his wife Pat, Tommy, Taylor and all the grandkids. My heart is truly broken today ๐๐ข
— Stacey King (@Stacey21King) November 1, 2020
No one has combined ability, humor, and entertainment in our sport better than Billy Tubbs. He made cheering for or rooting against more entertaining. He, Nolan Richardson, and Wayman Tisdale did more for BB in okla than anyone else ever could. Rest In Peace Billy.
— Bill Self (@CoachBillSelf) November 2, 2020
The OU nation lost a legend, Coach Billy Tubbs. Wayman welcomed him home today. RIP old friend. -T
— Toby Keith (@tobykeith) November 1, 2020
Just received text from Oklahoma Super AD Joe Castiglione that Billy Tubbs passed . May Billy RIP My prayers to his family /A tough year losing John Thompson – Lute Olson- Eddie Sutton – Tom Jernstedt -David Gaines -Lou Henson etc Hope they all RIP https://t.co/lJdQFJ4j0V
— Dick Vitale (@DickieV) November 2, 2020
Sooner icon
Coaching legend
Hall of Famer
Genuinely kind and caring manI bet Billy grabbed the microphone to announce his own entrance when he arrived in heaven ๐!
We love you and will deeply miss you coach! Thank you for making our world a better place. https://t.co/66fcWezbIj
— Toby Rowland (@TRowOU) November 1, 2020
When Billy Tubbs was doing the local @OU_MBBall TV package with @scorebook_bob, heโd see my son, @jamesfraschilla, before the game & say, โIf you get in the game tonight, I want you to shoot the ball. None of this passing to your teammates.โ Weโd laugh about that every time.
— Fran Fraschilla (@franfraschilla) November 2, 2020
I will remember Billy Tubbs for a lot of things, including his many great coaching accomplishments. But I will remember him most for his kindness to my son & former @OU_MBBall player, @jamesfraschilla. Heartbroken but I know he had an incredible life. https://t.co/osrz8Up9Lz
— Fran Fraschilla (@franfraschilla) November 1, 2020
RIP Coach. Billy Tubbs was one of the first coaches I ever met at a Final Four. OU legend Tubbs, founder of 'Billy Ball', dies at 85 https://t.co/YDH1FlocA1
— Tim Miles (@CoachMiles) November 2, 2020
Oh, the stories I could tell about the incomparable Billy Tubbs! Tough, loving, devoted to family, single-minded, great memory for people, often impossible, true friend, loyal, brilliant. Did I say tough? Made the world a better place. Will miss him greatly.
— Bill Hancock (@BHancockCFP) November 2, 2020
Beth and I were sad to hear tonight about the passing of Coach Billy Tubbs. He was a wonderful storyteller and a kind gentleman. We never knew him when he was coaching but were blessed to meet him after. Prayers to our friend @ttrebound and Coachโs family.
๐ https://t.co/aiUQMwuqa9 pic.twitter.com/N7LlYg5rQw— ๐บ๐๐๐๐ข ๐ณ๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐ (@kdamp) November 2, 2020
I was privileged to work Billy Tubbs during his time as Director of Athletics at @LamarUniversity. Billy was a legend in Beaumont and still had his wit and humor as AD. Our sympathies to his friends and family. https://t.co/kon0UPDxyZ
— Greg Sankey (@GregSankey) November 2, 2020
.@UHCougarMBK Coach Kelvin Sampson (@CoachSampsonUH) shares his thoughts on the late Billy Tubbs, former coach at Lamar (@LamarMBB), Oklahoma (@OU_MBBall) and @TCUBasketball: pic.twitter.com/BQex496Nvp
— Mark Berman (@MarkBermanFox26) November 1, 2020
I was fortunate to play against Billy Tubbsโ Oklahoma Sooners, and to get to know him in later years. One of the gameโs truly great coaches and an all-time character. Billy Tubbs always made you smile. RIP Coach Tubbs. https://t.co/jo7FDPwC8K
— Jay Bilas (@JayBilas) November 1, 2020
RIP Billy Tubbs.
— Jon Rothstein (@JonRothstein) November 1, 2020
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