Bill Courtney’s Impact on Temple Basketball: “A Great Person That Got to Know People”

Temple Men’s Basketball assistant coach Bill Courtney passed away on Tuesday, Jan. 13. After the Owls’ Jan. 18 game against FAU, head coach Adam Fisher spoke about his relationship with Courtney and the impact his friend had during a coaching career that spanned more than three decades.

“Before we get to the game, obviously, really challenging and difficult week for our program and the college basketball world, to be honest with you. But as we go through all this, I think the forefront is making sure we all keep Coach Courtney’s family in our prayers and our thoughts. That’s been a huge priority for us is doing anything we can,” Fisher said. 

“For those of you that knew BC, he had an incredible smile, he could light up a room. Yeah. The guy never had a bad day, kept everybody positive, upbeat, and, you know, a lot of people have said to me this week ‘man, BC’s a good friend,’ and it’s the truth. Because everybody he came into contact with, he got to know personally. And in this new world of transactional recruiting, NIL, the transfer portal, he was old school. He was going to build relationships, and he was just an incredible person. I personally have learned so much from him. He’s one of my closest friends that I spoke to often.”

The Owls have played two games since Courtney’s passing, losses to Memphis and FAU. Fisher said that ahead of the Memphis game, he and his coaching staff let their players decide whether or not they were able to play. They decided they wanted to, because that’s what Courtney would’ve wanted for them.

Against Memphis, the Owls took a last-second three-point shot that could’ve given them the win. Facing FAU, they battled through fouls and tough shooting and remaining competitive throughout. Fisher praised his team’s resolve in both games.

“That’s What Bill Would Want”

“I know the results haven’t gone how we wanted this week, but I do know he’d be proud of how we competed and how hard we played. And again, my heart goes out to his family: and he spent so much time away from his family, to help all these young men, 30 plus years of coaching. I know the basketball community, our program, and many, many others will do anything we can for Coach Court. For his boys, DJ, Billy, Virginia, his mom, sisters. But again, really, a really difficult time,” Fisher said.

“It’s really Bill’s message, but he said to me over and over, we get, you’re on the court for practice, or you’re in a film section, you’re in a game, that’s your, it’s like this fantasy land. You lock in and the outside world just stops, stops, no phones, just locked in together,” Fisher said.

“I mentioned the team decided to play. We gave them the option to play. They wanted to play because they thought that’s what Bill would want, and I know that that’s what Bill would want. His mom told me that’s what he would want. But I think when the ball’s tipped, something just happens, and you just focus on that. And then when that final buzzer sounds, it’s like reality comes right back to you… I love him. I know he’s watching us, and we’re gonna play, play the right way every night for him.”

Temple Steps Up

Fisher extended his thanks to Temple’s administration for the way they’ve stepped up to support his team, giving them the resources they need. He also thanked Memphis’ administration for their gestures, including a moment of silence and a bouquet of flowers.

“I do want to thank the university, Temple, you know, Temple’s been amazing this week. This is what makes it a special place. And the president, [Vice President and Director of Athletics] Arthur Johnson, you name it, the people that reached out, have provided resources to us, [Senior Associate AD for Mental Health] Dr. [Stephany] Coakley. It has just been overwhelming to see that the family and the community support at Temple. Some of that, I know, has really helped me get through this week,” Fisher said.

“We Got You”

Fisher credited Temple’s players and staff for how they’ve come together in the wake of tragedy, players supporting coaches, coaches supporting players.

“I think it’s a great credit to our locker room. Look, I’ve been emotional. These guys have probably seen me as raw as I can be, and they kept telling me ‘we got you,’ and then my worries about them and ‘hey, we’ve [the coaching staff] got you. So big being together. Being very close with my family. My wife has been fantastic, my daughter. I think it just shows the family atmosphere we try to build,” Fisher said.

“And I think it’s everybody just being there for each other, being there. Those moments you don’t think about. The other day at shoot-around, he and I always get together the same time at shoot-around to talk about the first play of the game. We’re at Memphis, I stood up looking for him, right? It’s not something that just stops, right? It’s something you’ve got to continue to be there, be there for our staff, a really close-knit group. They were very close with coach, so I think it’s like a family.”

Courtney joined the Owls in June 2025 after finishing the 2024-25 season as Miami’s interim head coach. Fisher expressed gratitude for the time he got to spend with Courtney as members of the same staff.

“A Great Person That Got to Know People”

“Our thoughts and prayers are with his family doing everything we can, and then at the same time making sure we’re okay here. Because this was his family too here in Philly. And to have him with me for the last seven months, whatever it may be, I will forever cherish every day that he’s been part of this staff, and I just want to continue the legacy and the passion of being a good person, because that’s what he was. Just a great person that got to know people,” Fisher said.

Fisher added that Courtney helped him get the Temple job in the first place. The two spent two seasons together as part of Jim Larrañaga’s staff at Miami, and Fisher said that Courtney stayed in close contact throughout his interview process with the Owls.

“You’re trying to figure out who’s going to be the new coach, and they tell you ‘don’t talk about anything.’ I was talking to Bill every day. ‘Hey man, I just did an interview with Temple.’ He’d text me ‘What’s going on?’” Fisher said. “The morning of their Elite Eight game I called him and said, ‘hey, I think it would really help if [Former Miami Hurricanes head] Coach Larrañaga can call Arthur Johnson.’ He said, ‘I got it, I’ll take care of it. Don’t worry.’ That was Bill. That’s what he did. Just an amazing, amazing person.