Known for his quick wit and garish sweaters, Carnesecca took the New York City university to national basketball prominence.

Hall of Fame college basketball coach Lou Carnesecca, who won more than 500 games and led St. John's to three Big East titles and a 1985 Final Four appearance, died Saturday at the age of 99. The university said it was notified by a family member that Carnesecca died in a hospital surrounded by his family,

Carnesecca, whose sweaters became an emblem of his team’s rousing Final Four run, coached St. John's for 24 seasons over two stints.