https://www.stltoday.com/sports/columns/ben-frederickson/benfred-illinois-legend-hensons-impact-on-underwood-will-live-on/article_0df027ed-a588-565b-824e-8e88a39ed91c.html
Mizzou coach Cuonzo Martin was close to being in that database (of former Illini players), and probably would have been if Auburn coach Bruce Pearl, then an assistant at Iowa, had not created uncertainty at Illinois by raising concerns with the NCAA about the Illini’s recruitment of prospect Deon Thomas. Pearl’s respect for the NCAA rules clearly faded over time. Martin’s respect for Henson and his wife, Mary, did not.
“I thought he was a wonderful man,” Martin said Thursday. “Of course, I love (former Purdue) coach (Gene) Keady, but before Coach Keady, I was going to play for Coach Henson at Illinois. I went on an official visit, and I had a chance to sit in his home. His wife was a wonderful lady. And what is amazing, years ago, when Coach was out of coaching, his wife remembered me. That was neat for me. She was that kind of person, and he was a good man. The figurehead of that program.”