Feb. 16, 2010

MEMPHIS - Former Memphis basketball head coach Dana Kirk died Monday from a heart attack at the age of 74. The West Virginia native passed away at Methodist University Hospital.

Kirk coached the Tiger program for seven seasons from 1979-86, and the following lists his accomplishments as the Memphis head coach:

• Compiled a 158-58 overall record at Memphis (.731 winning percentage)
• The fourth-winningest coach in Tiger history
• Had a 59-29 Metro Conference record (.670 winning percentage)
• Named Metro Conference Coach of the Year for the 1983-84 season
• Earned Basketball Weekly Coach of the Year honor for the 1981-82 season
• Guided Memphis to the program's first-ever No. 1 national ranking in the 1982-83 season
• Led Memphis to five-straight NCAA Tournament appearances from 1982-86
• Under his guidance, Tigers advanced to at least the Sweet 16 in four of those five NCAA Tournament appearances
• Directed the Tigers to the program's second NCAA Final Four in 1985
• The 1984-85 team posted a 31-4 record, and at the time, the 31 victories were the most for a single season in school history
• Led Tigers to three Metro Conference regular season titles (1981-82, 1983-84, 1984-85)
• Guided Memphis to three Metro Conference Tournament crowns (1982, 1984, 1985)
• Had five-straight 20-win seasons from 1981-82 to 1985-86
• His 1985-86 team opened the season with 20-straight wins - fourth-longest win streak in school history and the second-longest win streak to open a season
• Won 39-consecutive home games from 1984-86, the second-longest homecourt win streak in Tiger hoops history
• Had an overall home record of 103-15 at Mid-South Coliseum (.873 winning percentage)
• Coached nine of the Tigers' 46 1,000-point scorers in school history, including Memphis all-time leading scorer Keith Lee (2,408 points)
• Also coached the Tigers' all-time leader in rebounding (Lee; 1,336 boards), blocked shots (Lee; 320 blocks) and assists (Andre Turner; 763 assists)
• Coached eight All-Metro Conference performers and six Metro Conference All-Freshman Team players
• Coached Keith Lee, who was a two-time Metro Conference Player of the Year pick (1982, 1985) and the 1982 Metro Conference Freshman of the Year

Dana Grey Kirk was born July 23, 1935 in Logan County, West Virginia. He lettered in three sports in high school, was All-State in football and basketball, and was selected to play in the North/ South All-star Game.

He graduated from Marshall University where he lettered in football and basketball. Upon graduation, he began coaching high school football and basketball, and then joined the collegiate ranks coaching at University of Tampa, University of Louisville, Virginia Commonwealth, and ultimately University of Memphis, which he led to the Final Four appearance in 1985.

He received many coaching honors and awards, including being selected National Coach of the Year.

He served on the Board of Directors for The Boys Club and Easter Seals; he served as Chairman of the Tennessee State Employees Section of United Way; and served as an honorary coach for Special Olympics. He worked tirelessly raising funds for Muscular Dystrophy, Multiple Sclerosis, Cerebral Palsy and St. Jude’s Hospital.

Upon retirement from coaching, Dana enjoyed many years as a sports news talk show host, playing sports, and enjoying his family, particularly his four grandchildren.

He is survived by his wife, Denise McCrary; two daughters, Koby DePriest (Drew) and Kasha Rock (Joey); four grandchildren, Kallan Klinger, Holt DePriest, Reece Rock and Grey DePriest, and dozens of nieces and nephews around the country, including John Conrad and Jake McCrary of Memphis.

He is also survived by three brothers: Victor D. Kirk, Lindsey Kirk, and James Kirk. He was predeceased in death by his parents, Lindsey and Corinne Kirk; brother, John Kirk; and sisters, Dorene Leonard and Anna Rose Hall.

Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m. Friday, Feb. 19, in the main sanctuary of Christ United Methodist Church, with private interment to follow. The family requests that memorials be sent to charity of choice.