Augie Greiner was known for more than just a fantastic basketball player. He was a tremendous guy and also right-hand man of head coach Billy Donovan.

A source close to Gator Sports Nation reported that Greiner passed away Saturday night after suffering from a long illness.

There wasn’t any other man like him. He was a big supporter for the Gator basketball team and was the founder of Greiner’s clothing store in both Ocala and Tampa. Everybody loved him, he was so friendly and kind to any person he would ever talk to.

Greiner was one of the first friends of Donovan when he got the coaching job at Florida. Here is a quote Billy had to say about Greiner back in 2006 during a Ocala Gator tip-off Club.

“I’m very thankful that there is somebody like this that has been able to put together a club and a group that started from nothing that built into the situation that it is,” said Donovan. “He’s the leader, he’s the one that takes charge.”

Greiner spent four years playing for the Gators (1953-1956).

He brought a lot to the Ocala area and will be truly missed. I send my prayers to the Greiner family.

Gator Sports Nation will release any other information on Greiner if available.

[Here is a couple of photos, the first a picture of Greiner from the 50's and the second one was gathered by Gator Country.com of Augie Greiner and Billy Donovan.]

Courtesy of gatorcountry.com