Beyond being an underrated coach, Coach Lou Henson was a spectacular person. 

That is how Illini sports beat writer Bob Asmussen described the hall of fame former Illinois basketball coach who passed away over the weekend in Champaign. 

Asmussen arrived in Champaign to cover Illinois sports the fall after Illinois reached the final four under Henson but reminds that Henson had some very good teams even after the 'Flyin' Illini'. He says Henson was the perfect media guy.

In his years following retirement, Henson remained active at the U of I and was beloved by fans and coaches that followed. Coaches on the Illinois sideline have donned the Orange blazer he made famous and had the floor of the State Farm Center named after him in 2015.