Legendary St. John’s coach and Basketball Hall of Famer Lou Carnesecca has died just days shy of his 100th birthday, according to multiple reports.

The two-time coach of the year, who oversaw more than 700 games at St. John’s and now has the arena named after him, was scheduled to turn 100 on Jan. 5.

News of his death was announced on social media by long-time reporter Peter Vecsey, and tributes quickly poured in for one of the sport’s most legendary names.

Born in 1925, Carnesecca coached the St. John’s basketball program, which achieved 526 wins and 200 losses in 27 seasons on the sidelines.

“Looie,” as he was popularly known, reached the postseason in every season he managed and led the Red Storm to the Final Four in 1985.

In 1992, he was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame just months before his retirement, and a year later he was also inducted into the New York City Basketball Hall of Fame.

Lou Carnesecca sits in the arena named after him to watch a game last October

Carnesecca was a legendary St. John’s coach known for his flashy sweaters

Shortly before his retirement, he said: “It will be very difficult to put the ball down, but the time has come.”

“There are actually two reasons. I have half of my marbles and still have a wonderful taste of basketball in my mouth. “It’s a difficult decision, but it’s entirely up to me.”

He also dabbled in the professional game in the 1970s, coaching the then-New York Nets from 1970 to 1973, finishing with a record of 252-114.

Carnesecca was known for his colorful sweaters and the historic Alumni Hall was named after him in 2004 when it was renamed Carnesecca Arena.

He was recently seen at the unveiling of Rick Pitino as St. John’s coach.

On social media, fans paid tribute to the legendary coach with memories of his time at St. John’s and beyond.

Mets announcer Howie Rose wrote: “In early 1973, as a nervous freshman at Queens College, I interviewed Lou for the QC radio station after a Nets game.”

Carnesecca is lifted up by his players after winning the 1983 Big East Tournament

Carnesecca attended the press conference introducing new St. John’s coach Rick Pitino last year

The legendary coach is interviewed by Billy Packer (1940-2023) after a game against UConn in 1990

“I referred to Nets guard George Bruns as George Burns. Looie couldn’t have been nicer and calmed my nerves with a reassuring smile. What a dear, sweet man. REST IN PEACE.’

He added a second anecdote, tweeting: “My friend Dave lost both parents within a year in the early 1970s.” He went to St. John’s and became manager of the basketball team.

“Lou essentially adopted Dave and was a surrogate father to him. “Lou Carnesecca was a special man outside of the BB court.”

Ed Cooley, head coach of the rival Georgetown Hoyas, wrote: “We send our condolences from our Hoya family to those closest to Coach Lou Carnesecca and St. John’s Basketball.” “He is one of the pioneers of the BIG EAST Conference – him is synonymous with this great league and will be truly missed by everyone in the basketball world.”