It is a dark week in the world of sports as Jerry Tarkanian, the college basketball coach who built Nevada-Las Vegas into a national powerhouse, passed away last Wednesday, joining three other sport greats who died this past week.

Tarkanian had a drive in him which he channelled in his will to win. As a major college coach, he had more than 700 wins under his name.

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Apart from basketball though, his will spilled over to his long-running feud with the National College Athletics Association (NCAA) over some accusations that he ran outlaw programs at three universities. Until the end, he was a fighter.

His son Danny announced his death through social media.

Last Monday, Tarkanian was taken to Valley Hospital Medical Center in Las Vegas for low blood pressure and an infection. In April 2014, he had a second heart attack and was then treated for pneumonia in November.

A year prior to the heart attack, Tarkanian was inducted into the Basketball Hall of Fame.

In 19 seasons at U.N.L.V., Tarkanian grew to be a force in college basketball. He was one of the game's most successful and colourful coaches.

Tarkanian had a signature style of high-scoring running game combined with a smothering defensive play.

Throughout his career, he brought U.N.L.V to the NCAA Final Four, four times. He won the championship in 1990 with the largest recorded margin of victory over Duke, 103-73.

His death comes days after another coaching legend, Dean Smith, who led the University of North Carolina to greatness.

Reggie Miller, former U.C.L.A and player for the National Basketball Association's (NBA) Indiana Pacers said, "Heaven is fielding an unbelievable coaching roster."

Apart from the two coaching greats, they are also joined by founder of the National Football League's (NFL) Films, Ed Sabol, as well as the overlooked titan of golf, Billy Casper.

TagsUNLV, Jerry Tarkanian, Bill Casper, Dean Smith