A Complex Relationship: Georgetown Fans Reflect on the Passing of John Feinstein

The author is inextricably connected to the Thompson era

For the long-time faithful fans of the Georgetown Hoyas, news of the passing of legendary sports writer John Feinstein on March 13, 2025, at the age of 69, might stir a confluence of emotions. Feinstein, a longtime columnist for The Washington Post and a prolific author with numerous bestsellers to his name, held a prominent place in the landscape of sports journalism, and his career was intertwined with the story of Georgetown basketball and its iconic coach, John Thompson Jr.

Feinstein’s impact on sports writing is undeniable. As the former sports editor of The Washington Post, George Solomon, noted, Feinstein had a knack for getting the story and wasn’t afraid to challenge the status quo. His groundbreaking 1986 book, “A Season on the Brink,” which chronicled the tumultuous season of Bob Knight’s Indiana Hoosiers, became a landmark in the genre, offering unprecedented behind-the-scenes access. This book’s success propelled Feinstein into the national spotlight, allowing him to delve into a wide array of sports, from college basketball to golf and tennis.

However, for Georgetown enthusiasts, Feinstein’s name is perhaps most frequently associated with his often critical commentary on the university’s basketball program, particularly its perceived arrogance and elitism under the leadership of John Thompson Jr.

One exemplary article, titled “On Court and Off, Critics Say Hoyas Walk a Hard Line,” from March 19, 1984—two weeks before Georgetown won their only national championship—perfectly details the era:

In the past three years, Georgetown’s team has risen near the pinnacle of college basketball. Its record of 82-20 during that time is one of the best in the country. Nevertheless, despite their accomplishments on the court, the Hoyas and their coach, John Thompson, often are the targets of criticism by other coaches and members of the media.

Thompson, Athletic Director Frank Rienzo and other Georgetown officials admit they run their program differently than most major colleges. These differences include often hard-line negotiations for game contracts with other schools that, among other things, virtually wipe out local rivalries. The differences extend to relationships with television networks, radio stations, magazine and newspaper reporters. Some players and coaches complain that the Hoyas are too aggressive on the court, all of which leads in general to an image of being difficult to deal with, and resulting in the phrase “Hoya Paranoia” …

The Hoyas have a reputation for overly aggressive play. Incidents that have fueled this include Georgetown’s Michael Graham taking a swing at Syracuse’s Andre Hawkins in this month’s Big East championship game and again Sunday at SMU’s Carl Wright in an NCAA game, and 7-foot All-America center Patrick Ewing charging Boston College’s 5-foot-8 Michael Adams in a game this year…

At the news conference Saturday, Thompson said: “I have a player who is a minister; I have a player who is a lawyer; I have a player in medical school at Georgetown. What else do I have to do to prove to people that I’m doing the right thing? Patrick Ewing could have gone to any school in the U.S. and hasn’t asked me for one dime since he’s been at Georgetown. He gave up going to the Pan-American Games so he could take Spanish this summer.

“Judge me by what we do, not if I stay [in a hotel] 700 or 200 miles away from where we play.”

Feinstein was never a fan of the private nature of Thompson’s Hoyas, but whether his coverage was a cause or effect will always be a debate. What’s not arguable was Feinstein’s quest to rebuild D.C. college basketball rivalries.

A 2015 article in The Georgetowner recounted a conversation with Feinstein regarding Georgetown’s long-standing refusal to play its neighbor, George Washington University. According to Feinstein, this decision, originating with John Thompson Jr. and carried on by John Thompson III, stemmed from a belief that “Georgetown doesn’t think they have anything to gain.”

Feinstein was an original organizer of The BB&T Classic, a charity basketball tournament organized annually at the Verizon Center and routinely expressed his disappointment, stating that he was wrong in assuming Georgetown would surely participate, especially for a charitable cause.

While Feinstein’s criticisms of Georgetown’s stance were pointed, his relationship with John Thompson Jr. was far more complex than mere antagonism. Michael Wilbon, a fellow Washington Post sportswriter, shared a heartfelt appreciation for Thompson after his passing, recalling that Feinstein was among the writers Thompson would inquire about early in Wilbon’s career. This suggests a level of professional respect, even if their interactions weren’t always harmonious.

In fact, Feinstein himself acknowledged the profound influence Thompson had on him. In a perspective piece for The Washington Post after Thompson’s death in 2020, Feinstein wrote, “John Thompson and I argued plenty, but few people have taught me more.”

He reminisced about their debates, often centered on media access to the team, but also about deeper conversations regarding the complexities of college basketball. Notably, Feinstein dedicated his later book addressing racial inequality in sports, “Raise a Fist, Take a Knee,” to John Thompson, recognizing the coach’s profound impact on his understanding of race relations. Thompson himself had encouraged Feinstein to address race in sports saying, “… it’s a book you absolutely have to do.”

Wilbon’s anecdotes further illuminate Thompson’s character beyond the often-portrayed tough exterior. He recounted Thompson’s unexpected support after Wilbon’s father passed away and Thompson’s proactive efforts to protect his players, even confronting a drug kingpin. The local reporters who covered the program during that time had front-row seats to Big John.

These stories resonate with the image of Thompson as a figure who cared deeply for his players and wasn’t afraid to take unconventional actions, a sentiment echoed in The Georgetown Voice’s retrospective on the “Thompson Era.” Feinstein, despite his critical columns, also recognized the monumental impact Thompson had on transforming Georgetown into a national basketball power and a cultural phenomenon. He noted how Patrick Ewing’s arrival “gave Georgetown a credibility in recruiting that it had never had before,” and the team’s subsequent success under Thompson created an “aura” around the program.

Feinstein also acknowledged Georgetown’s increased national visibility through the Big East Conference and its groundbreaking partnership with Nike, facilitated in part by Thompson. He even pointed out that “Georgetown gear sold very big nationwide. It became sort of known in the black community as ‘America’s black school.’”

In 2015, John Feinstein had the honor of informing John Thompson Jr. that the U.S. Basketball Writers Association had selected him as the winner of the first Dean Smith Award. This award was established after Dean Smith’s passing to recognize a coach who exemplified his qualities as a person. Feinstein called Thompson with the news, and after his initial characteristic response, Thompson was profoundly touched, admitting, “You got me. You know how I felt about him”. Despite challenges due to his diabetes, Thompson attended the presentation dinner in Chapel Hill and spoke extensively (and with his usual profanity) about Dean Smith, highlighting the significant impact his friend and mentor had on him.

Given this multifaceted history, Georgetown fans might react to Feinstein’s passing in various ways. Some who bristled at his criticisms of the program’s perceived arrogance might feel a sense of closure. Others, however, might acknowledge his role as a prominent voice who documented a significant and transformative era in Georgetown basketball history. They might also recognize the evolution of his relationship with John Thompson Jr., from initial skepticism to a deeper understanding and mutual respect.

Ultimately, John Feinstein leaves behind a substantial body of work that significantly shaped the discourse around college basketball. His willingness to ask tough questions and offer critical perspectives, even when directed at larger-than-life figures like John Thompson Jr. and the Georgetown program, was a hallmark of his career.

While his criticisms may have often stung, his later writings and personal anecdotes reveal a journalist who, despite his skepticism, ultimately recognized and respected the profound impact of John Thompson Jr. and the unique legacy of Georgetown basketball.

As the Georgetown community reflects on Feinstein’s passing, it’s an opportunity to consider the complex interplay between those who chronicle our beloved institutions and the figures who shape them. Georgetown can still take a note about being more open and allowing access.

Feinstein’s voice, often challenging but never uninformed, will undoubtedly be missed in the world of sports journalism.

But, what Hoya fans will likely miss most is Feinstein’s connection to the Thompson era and his stories and anecdotes about Big John and the Georgetown program.