Dana Kirk, a West Virginia native who brought fame to Memphis basketball in the mid-80s, has died. Kirk passed away Monday of a heart attack in Memphis.

Kirk guided the Tigers to the NCAA Final Four in the college basketball season of 1985.

He was born in Logan and grew up in the Mingo County town of Delbarton. He coached Memphis from 1979-86 compiling a 158-58 record. He also served as the head coach of Virginia Commonwealth and worked as an assistant under Denny Crum at Louisville.

Memphis lost to eventual champion, Villanova, in the semifinals of the Final Four. Known as a brilliant coach, Kirk's career was marred by NCAA violations and spending four months in a federal minimum-security prison.

Kirk was out as the head coach at Memphis one year after the Final Four trip.

After leaving Memphis, Kirk never again coached college basketball.

Kirk played center on both the Marshall University football and basketball teams.

Despite off-the-court issues, Kirk, who later returned to Memphis to live and work in radio, was a popular figure in the City of Blues.

Kirk was 74.