Jerry Tarkanian, also known as "Tark the Shark," is a retired college basketball coach known as one of the most successful coaches in college basketball history. He is also well known for his colorful behavior, including habitually chewing on a towel during games, and for his public criticisms and legendary clashes with the NCAA, which eventually paid Tarkanian the largest settlement in NCAA history.

With a 729–201 career coaching record (78.4%) across all college divisions, Tarkanian is in the top 21 for collegiate wins among all men's coaches. Only four other coaches have a higher winning percentage. He is also one of few college coaches to lead three different schools to 20-win seasons. He accomplished a 20-win season at each school in his first year. His streak of 12 20-win seasons to start a coaching career is 2nd to only Thad Matta.

One of Jerry's sons, Danny Tarkanian, was an Academic All-American college basketball player while playing for Jerry Tarkanian at UNLV.

Basketball, Nevada