Forward and Syracuse legend Louis Orr, who played eight seasons in the NBA before retiring to coach at the college and professional levels, has passed away. He was 64.
Orr’s death from pancreatic cancer was announced by his family in a statement released by Georgetown on Friday.
From 1976-1980, Orr was an integral part of Syracuse’s success on the court, and he was recognized as an All-Big East performer in both the regular season and the tournament. In 2015, he had his jersey number, 55, retired.
Syracuse University’s men’s basketball team wrote on social media, “We grieve the passing of an Orange legend – a player, a coach, and most importantly, a fantastic guy who made everyone around him better.” We’ll always remember Louis Orr, but it’ll be extra meaningful to see his No. 55 hanging in the Dome someday.
A second-round pick of the Pacers in 1980, Orr spent two seasons with the team before signing with the Knicks for the next six seasons, from 1982 to 1988.
The native Cincinnatiian began his coaching career in 1991 as an assistant at Xavier, and after stops at Providence and his home mater, he assumed the head coaching position at Siena in 2000. He coached there for one season before moving on to Seton Hall for five and Bowling Green for seven.
Orr spent a year as an assistant in the Chinese Basketball Association before joining Georgetown’s coaching staff under Patrick Ewing. He worked as a Hoyas assistant for five years before being promoted to special assistant to the head coach this spring.
According to Ewing, he had known the deceased since he was 22 years old and just starting out in the NBA.
In a statement, Ewing described their relationship as “friendship and brothers.” He was someone I could confide in at any time; our conversations covered everything from daily life to basketball to the trials and triumphs of raising a family. Indeed, he will be sorely missed, but his legacy will live on in this (Georgetown) team.
Louis Orr Biography
American college basketball coach Louis McLaughlin Orr (born May 7, 1958) will retire on December 16, 2022. He is currently working as an assistant at Georgetown University, where he is coached by Patrick Ewing, his former teammate on the New York Knicks. Previously, he served as head coach at Seton Hall from April 4, 2001 until his dismissal on March 24, 2006, and at Bowling Green State University from 2007 to 2014. Earlier in his career, he served as an assistant coach at Xavier University, Providence College, and his alma school, Syracuse University, before taking over as head coach at Siena.
Playing Profession
At Withrow High School, where Orr starred, Charles Cadle served as his coach. Orr and his teammate Roosevelt Bouie formed the legendary “Louie & Bouie Show” during their time at Syracuse University (from 1976 to 1980). The Daily Orange, a student newspaper, dubbed them that after publishing a cartoon showing them wearing tuxedos and top hats and charging up the basketball court. Following his 1980 graduation from Syracuse, the Indiana Pacers selected him with the 28th overall choice in the NBA draft. His two years with the Pacers included a single trip to the postseason. The New York Knicks gave him another six productive years in the NBA, during which time the team made the playoffs three times. In the 1984–85 NBA season, Orr led the Knicks in scoring and rebounding with averages of 12.7 and 4.9 points and rebounds per game, respectively. He finished his professional career with more over 5,500 points.
Employment Opportunities in Coaching
In 1990, Orr began his coaching career as an assistant for Xavier University in his hometown of Cincinnati, Ohio. After working as an assistant for Pete Gillen at Providence beginning in 1994, he moved on to aid Jim Boeheim and the Syracuse Orangemen. During his stay there, he became an invaluable assistant and contributed to the team’s 92-40 record. Twice during Orr’s tenure, Syracuse advanced to the Sweet 16 of the NCAA tournament.
Siena
Orr accepted his first head coaching position in 2000 at Siena College, where he oversaw the men’s basketball program. Orr’s one and only season as Siena’s head football coach resulted in a 20-11 record, the best for a first-year Siena coach. The Saints also finished in a three-way tie for first place in the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference. Also in same year, Siena set a number of new attendance records.
College of Seton Hall
After Tommy Amaker left to become the head coach at Michigan in 2001, Seton Hall selected Orr to replace him as head coach, making him the first former Big East player to become a head coach in the conference. Orr had a 12-18 record in his debut season in the Big East Conference, but he stood out for taking Duke to the wire in the Maui Invitational.
Five years into his tenure as head coach, Orr had already taken Seton Hall’s basketball team to the NCAA tournament twice in three seasons. Seton Hall advanced further than expected in the 2004 NCAA tournament, beating No. 9 seed Arizona before losing to No. 1 seed Duke in the second round. Orr guided Seton Hall to a 9-7 Big East record and an 18-12 overall record in 2005–06. In the 2006 NCAA Tournament, Seton Hall was a No. 10 seed and played No. 7 Wichita State, losing 86–66. Despite an 80-69 record and two trips to the NCAA tournament and one to the NIT in his five years at Seton Hall, Orr was let go following the 2005-06 season due to concerns over weak recruitment.
Green Bowling
After a year away from the coaching profession, Orr was hired to replace Dan Dakich, whose contract was not renewed after 10 years as head coach at Bowling Green State University. Orr led Bowling Green to a 13-17 overall record and a 7-9 mark in the MAC in his first season there. This was good enough for fifth place in the East Division. The next year, with Orr at the helm, Bowling Green compiled an 11-5 conference record and won the MAC regular season championship for the tenth time in program history. Bowling Green was the No. 1 seed in the conference tournament, but they lost to Akron in the finals. Bowling Green was awarded a berth in the 2009 NIT as the regular season champion of the MAC. Bowling Green, the No. 8 seed in the third bracket, had to travel to No. 1 Creighton. Although they battled back, Bowling Green ultimately lost their first-round game to Creighton by a score of 73-71. Bowling Green’s 2008-2009 season was highlighted by Orr’s recognition as MAC Coach of the Year.
It was announced on March 11, 2014, that Bowling Green would not be extending Orr’s contract. Orr went 101-121 over the course of seven seasons, with a Mid-American Conference record of 54-60.
Death
Orr passed away at the age of 64, as reported by Sports Illustrated on December 16, 2022.
Louis Orr Net-Worth
Louis Orr net-worth is estimated to be $1.5 Million.
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