( CNN ) -- Longtime men 's college basketball coach Rick Majerus , who led Utah to the NCAA final in 1998 , died Saturday from heart problems . He was 64 . Majerus recently left Saint Louis University , where he had coached for the past five years , for health reasons . `` Nobody loved basketball and teaching kids more that Rick , '' Billikens interim head coach Jim Crews said in a statement . `` His passion for the game and the coaching profession was unparalleled . Rick was a true friend and was always there when needed . I , along with so many others , am going to miss him . '' Majerus had ongoing health problems for years , dating back to his days as Utah 's coach . Saint Louis director of athletics Chris May said the Billikens team was informed Saturday afternoon that Majerus ' condition was deteriorating . The school announced November 19 that Majerus would not return to coach because of his heart condition . In 25 years , Majerus coached at four schools , taking 12 teams to the NCAA tournament . He had just one losing season . His record was 517-216 , which included two 30-win seasons and 15 20-win seasons . Majerus got his start at Marquette as an assistant to Al McGuire . He was at Marquette from 1983 to 1986 and then at Ball State from 1987 to 1989 . The apex of Majerus ' career came at Utah , where he went 323-95 from 1989 to 2004 . In 1998 , he led the Utes to the NCAA championship game , losing to Kentucky . Three of Majerus ' players at Utah were NBA draft picks -- including Keith Van Horn as the No . 2 overall pick in 1997 . `` Rick left a lasting legacy at the University of Utah , not only for his incredible success and the national prominence he brought to our basketball program , but also for the tremendous impact he made on the young men who were fortunate enough to play on his teams , '' Utah Director of Athletics Chris Hill said in a statement . `` His standard of excellence extended beyond the basketball court and into the academic and personal success of his players . He will be deeply missed and we grieve for his family and all of his friends . '' During Majerus ' final stop , at Saint Louis , the Billikens went 95-69 under his tenure . Last season , Majerus led Saint Louis to the round of 32 in the NCAA tournament . It was the program 's first NCAA tournament win since 1998 . `` Coach Majerus put his heart and soul into the Billiken program , and for that we will be eternally grateful , '' May said in a statement . `` What I will remember most about Rick 's tenure at SLU was his enduring passion to see his players excel both on and off the court . Wins and losses meant a lot to him , but no more than to see our student-athletes succeed in the classroom . He truly embraced the term 'student-athlete , ' and I think that will be his lasting legacy . ''
`` Nobody loved basketball and teaching kids more that Rick , '' Saint Louis coach says . Majerus had just one losing season in 25 years . At Utah , he went 323-95 from 1989 to 2004 . Majerus emphasized success in the classroom , not just on the court .