The university has not provided a cause of death.
“I am shocked and heartbroken by the tragic news and passing of my dear friend Bill Courtney,” Temple head coach Adam Fisher said in a statement. “Bill made such a big impact on our program in such a short time. He was one of the most respected coaches in the country – thoughtful, prepared and deeply committed to the game and to winning the right way.
“Bill made every program he created better, and his loss is deeply felt by all who knew him. Our thoughts and prayers go out to Bill’s family at this extremely difficult time.”
Courtney, who joined Temple’s staff this offseason, has long been one of the most respected assistant coaches in college basketball. Before his time with the Owls, Courtney spent five seasons at Miami (Fla.), even serving as interim head coach last season following the retirement of Jim Larrañaga in December 2024.
Courtney was an integral part of Miami’s first Final Four appearance in program history in 2023.
However, his experience extended well beyond the ACC, where he also served as an assistant at Virginia and Virginia Tech.
Courtney was a star guard at Bucknell from 1988 to 1992 and was an assistant at American, Bowling Green, George Mason (also at Larrañaga), Providence and DePaul during a coaching career that spanned more than three decades.
We are devastated to learn of the passing of Bucknell Athletics Hall-of-Famer and Bison hoops legend Bill Courtney ’92. Our deepest condolences to Bill’s family and the Temple basketball program. https://t.co/a8LoveFkvA pic.twitter.com/rcwnjadMho
— Bucknell MBasketball (@Bucknell_MBB) January 13, 2026
Courtney also served as Cornell’s head coach from 2010 to 2016, going 60-113 in six seasons.
“I was shocked and saddened to learn of the sudden passing of Coach Bill Courtney,” Temple athletic director Arthur Johnson said. “In the short time he was part of the Temple family, I saw the impact he had on our program with the joy that radiated from him on and off the field.
“He will be missed by his immediate family, his Temple basketball family and the greater basketball community.”
Temple (11-5, 3-0 American) will play Memphis in a conference game on Wednesday evening.
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