Buffalo, NY – Former Canisius basketball coach Joseph Curran has died, the school said Monday. He was 89.
Canisius said Curran passed away Saturday in Mystic, Connecticut, but did not give a cause of death.
He coached Canisius for six seasons from 1953-59, compiling a 76-66 record and leading the team to three straight NCAA Tournament appearances from 1955-57.
Curran is the only head coach in Canisius history to win an NCAA Tournament game.
The school's 79-78 victory in four overtimes against No. 2 North Carolina State at Madison Square Garden in 1956 is known as one of the biggest upsets in tournament history.