As the news of legendary Fighting Illini basketball coach and ambassador Lou Henson's passing broke on Wednesday afternoon, hundreds of posts on social media were shared with personal anecdotes about the man in an orange blazer. 

A sad day as we mourn the passing of Lou Henson, the greatest coach in Illini history. My thoughts are with Mary, their family & the hundreds of players who were led by such a tremendous man & coach.

Rest In Peace to the best to ever wear the orange jacket; we'll miss you Coach. pic.twitter.com/UNiQhxAuWC

— Brad Underwood (@CoachUnderwood) July 29, 2020

The pleasure was mine, Coach. You made everything you touched better, my life included. We already miss your smiling face and your welcoming nature, but we will find solace in your memory, which will never be forgotten. Rest easy, Coach. ???? pic.twitter.com/BXhf1SqY9l

— Josh Whitman (@IlliniAD) July 29, 2020

This is a sad day for me, my family and Illini Nation. Lou Henson changed the direction of my life and that of my family. I can't thank him enough for what he did for me and my Illini brothers. Rest with the angels coach. ???? pic.twitter.com/bDFShlLkDf

— Deon Thomas (@deonthomas25) July 29, 2020

One of my last Picture with Coach Henson during an Illinois game. What a Fighter all the way till end!!!! RIP Coach Henson pic.twitter.com/vh9rliRHjX

— Kenny Battle (@KennyBattle33) July 29, 2020

Our Mr. Basketball at the University of Illinois embodied everything we look for in a leader and in sports. An all-time leader in more than just wins. We'll celebrate him and what he built at Illinois for years to come!! RIP LOU HENSON!! pic.twitter.com/3n8mn4nRfX

— Lovie Smith (@LovieSmith) July 29, 2020

Rest well, Coach. ???? It's been an honor to hoop on Lou Henson Court. #JL4L

— Mr WhyNotMe (@AyoDos_11) July 30, 2020

I just spent the day with this great man and Mary last September. Lou Henson fought like no other in regards to his health, just like he fought for every player that played for him. ????RIP coach. @IlliniMBB pic.twitter.com/dA27crbruK

— Eddie A Johnson (@Jumpshot8) July 29, 2020

I am deeply saddened to hear of the passing of Lou Henson. From day one as a young coach he treated me like he had known me for a lifetime. A kind, gentle, first class human being. We lost a legend in our coaching family. Lou will be missed! pic.twitter.com/E63muxgaXL

— Dan Hartleb (@DanHartleb) July 29, 2020

Sad day for the Illini Athletics family as we mourn the passing of @IlliniMBB's greatest coach and a true Fighting Illini, Coach Lou Henson.

Our thoughts are with Mary and his family.

Rest easy, Lou ???? pic.twitter.com/RA8ijJKTXc

— Illinois Athletics (@IlliniAthletics) July 29, 2020

I wouldn't be here today without this man. Thanks for all you have done for me. Love you Lou !!! #LouHenson pic.twitter.com/QddXr56SoY

— BRANDON MASON (@coach_bmase) July 29, 2020

Rest In Peace Coach Lou Henson and prayers to the Henson family. Honor to coach every day on the court that bares his name. #flyinillini ????

— Stephen Gentry (@CoachSGentry) July 29, 2020

I coached against Lou Henson in the NCAA tournament when I was at Long Beach State. RIP Coach. I have so much respect for coaches of his generation. They coached for all the right reasons.They didn't have huge staffs. They were lost in every aspect of the job.

— Seth Greenberg (@SethOnHoops) July 29, 2020

Hearing the news of my college coach Lou Henson passed away over the weekend! Lou taught us a ton of lessons that really kicked in as adults. Truly underrated coach and a great man. Rest easy Coach!

— Stephen Bardo (@stephenbardo) July 29, 2020

Just heard about Lou Henson's passing. While I knew him at a distance when I was a young @bigten assistant at @OhioStateHoops, we became good friends (not easy) during our @UNMLoboMBB-@nmsumensbball rivalry. He was a kind & gracious man. #RIPCoach

— Fran Fraschilla (@franfraschilla) July 29, 2020

So saddened & ?? about the passing of the legendary Lou Henson after a long battle with cancer. What a fighter! I was honored to work for him & will never forget everything he did for me. Love you Coach! My condolences to Mary & the family. #LouDoo #FlyinIllini #IlliniHoops #HOF pic.twitter.com/Xjp2rOZITX

— Ryan Baker (@RyanBakerMedia) July 29, 2020

Deeply saddened by the passing of one of the greatest coaches I've ever had the pleasure of meeting, Lou Henson.

A true Fighting Illini, who made a lasting impact on all those who had the great fortune of meeting him. My thoughts & prayers are with Mary & their family. pic.twitter.com/I5eZwOiZDM

— Nancy Fahey (@CoachFahey) July 29, 2020

Rest In Peace, Coach Henson! A great basketball coach, and a wonderful human being! I will always remember and admire the way Coach Henson treated everyone he met with kindness and respect, no matter the time and place. A true gentlemen, and an Illini legend! https://t.co/bBGsI0tM7Z

— Mike Small (@MikeSmall4) July 30, 2020

Saddened to hear about the loss of Lou Henson. Attended his camps growing up and got to know him well during the recruiting process. The games with him and Coach Keady were must-see TV.

College basketball lost a great coach and a great man today. https://t.co/h5WaEX5EZO

— Purdue's Matt Painter (@CoachPainter) July 29, 2020

A Big Ten and @IlliniMBB legend has passed away.

Lou Henson - Hall of Fame head coach and architect of the Flyin' Illini - was 88 years old. pic.twitter.com/rCD7YVPiiX

— Big Ten Network (@BigTenNetwork) July 29, 2020

The Orange Krush family deeply mourns the loss of the greatest Illini coach of all time, Lou Henson. Truly a man of honor and class that represented the University of Illinois well, his immeasurable impact on Illinois basketball can still be seen today.

Thank you, Coach Henson. pic.twitter.com/0OUrJpjoy5

— The Orange Krush (@TheOrangeKrush) July 29, 2020

RIP Coach Lou Henson. Was always a pleasure to converse with you. A great coach but even better man. Prayers to his family and loved ones.

— Michael Finke (@Finke_Michael) July 29, 2020

So sorry to hear of the passing of Lou Henson. I went to school in the Big Ten when he had The Flyin' Illlini downstate. They were so much fun to watch. He was a kind man and a legendary figure on the sidelines. Thoughts are with his family and friends. pic.twitter.com/eR2stVeG9N

— Mike Greenberg (@Espngreeny) July 29, 2020

RIP to Illini Legend Lou Henson. As brilliant of a basketball coach as he was, he was an even better person. What a kind and gentle human who always had times for Illini fans. Seeing him at games always made everyone smile. He and Mary may be the two biggest celebrities in C-U. pic.twitter.com/HpJNTKUj9T

— Todd Chapman (@tchapman80) July 29, 2020

One of the nicest men you could ever meet. Rest easy Lou Henson - an Illini and college hoops legend. pic.twitter.com/4LNUZiuDEu

— Alex Roux (@arouxBTN) July 29, 2020

When my dad passed away in 2004, I received this hand written condolence letter from Lou Henson. It was such a nice gesture. Coach, say hi to my dad and The Bear for me. pic.twitter.com/pQXQ11eGsl

— Steve Kaplowitz (@stevekaplowitz) July 29, 2020

Lou Henson showed remarkable kindness to me as a 21-y-o reporter at Sports Illustrated. An editor requested I ask about his son, who died 2 years earlier in a car accident. pic.twitter.com/9758dr5J5g

— Teddy Greenstein (@TeddyGreenstein) July 29, 2020

Remembering Lou Henson pic.twitter.com/wVhvtYmQSm

— Cary Frye (@illiniphotog) July 30, 2020

This would NEVER happen today, but when Lou Henson retired as @IlliniMBB coach in 1996, the media organized a "Thank You" banquet after the season. Reporters organized the entire thing. It was because Lou treated them all with respect and got to know them on a personal basis. pic.twitter.com/Ee3n6eaujW

— Kent Brown (@kentbrown) July 29, 2020

RIP Lou Henson. ??

This old pic will put a smile on the face of @NMStateAggies fans.

Lou was a good man and a legend.#AggieUp pic.twitter.com/BCrL6xlzFH

— Adam Young (@youngpbp) July 29, 2020

Lou Henson was as nice a man as I've ever encountered.

He was influential to this student journalist at NMSU when we first crossed paths and again a few years later when I was sports editor at the LC Sun-News covering his stepping down and Reggie Theus taking over.#RIPLou pic.twitter.com/rCFHrIKz5j

— Geoff Grammer (@GeoffGrammer) July 29, 2020

If you knew Lou Henson and covered his career, as I and many others did, you were touched by the man's kindness and thoughtfulness. I loved him and much of that was felt after his coaching career was over. All hail Lou Henson and thanks, coach, for showing us how it's done.

— Mark Tupper (@MarkTupper) July 29, 2020