Former Houston Women’s Basketball Coach Joe Curl Passes Away
Curl ended UH career as Cougars’ all-time wins leader.

HOUSTON – Former University of Houston Women’s Basketball coach Joe Curl passed away Monday morning in Houston at the age of 59.

The legendary coach compiled an all-time record of 193-167 in 12 seasons at the helm. He also went 97-87 in all-time Conference USA action.
His all-time overall victories and all-time conference wins are both the most by any coach in school history, while he guided the Cougars to back-to-back NCAA Tournament appearances in 2004 and 2005, and helped UH land three trips to the WNIT in 2001, 2002, and 2010.

“Today we mourn the loss of Joe Curl, a dear member of the University. His family and friends are in our prayers and thoughts,” said Houston Vice President for Intercollegiate Athletics Mack Rhoades. “Joe was a special member of our athletics family, serving not only as head coach, but as a mentor to many young women throughout the years. His presence and larger than life personality will be missed by all who had the pleasure to know him.”

Curl is responsible for five of Houston’s nine all-time postseason appearances, including a 2004 season that many was considered one of the best years in program history, as the squad won a school-record 28 games to go along with a clean sweep of the Conference USA regular season and tournament championships. The program also notched its very first NCAA Tournament victory that season with 62-47 victory over Green Bay.
Curl strung recorded seven winning seasons during his time at UH and was named National Coach of the Year by the Associated Press, Basketball Times, USBWA and ESPN.com following the record-setting 2003-04 campaign.

Under Curl’s leadership, former Cougar standout Chandi Jones (2000-04) was named the C-USA Female Athlete of the Decade. Jones is one of only five UH basketball players, male or female (Otis Birdsong, Clyde Drexler, Elvin Hayes, Hakeem Olajuwon) to have their jersey retired.

Funeral services for Curl will be held at 7 p.m., Thursday, April 17, at Rosewood Funeral Home in Pasadena, Texas (3939 Pasadena Blvd.). Visitation will begin at 5 p.m. Thursday and will be proceeded by a cookout honoring Curl at Rosewood Funeral Home beginning at 12 p.m. Dress for the event is casual.

Truly a sad day for cougar nation.

Condolences to the Houston family. I had the chance to meet and talk to coach Curl a few times. He was a great man and could cook the heck out some ribs too.

To those here that aren't familiar with Joe Curl, he was a great coach who brought the Lady Cougars to prominence around 10 years ago until heart trouble forced him to retire. He also used to throw a big tailgate before all of the football games and was a beast behind the grill. He was the type of coach you would want at your school, just an all around good man who will be truly missed.

I was sad to hear about this. Believe it or not, the first UH game I ever attended was a ladies basketball game with a neighbor who knew one of the players. I always hear how he was not just a great coach but an outstanding man.

Darn. I always liked him. I thought he did a good job coaching our Lady Coogs. May he rest in peace. :(