Son: Jerry Tarkanian 'still fighting'

LAS VEGAS -- Hall of Fame basketball coach Jerry Tarkanian is battling for his life at a Las Vegas hospital, where family members say he's in very critical condition.

Son Danny Tarkanian said Wednesday that his father is "still fighting."

A son-in-law, Dr. Zafi Diamant, said Tuesday that the 84-year-old Tarkanian was fighting a respiratory ailment and infection after being hospitalized Monday.

The towel-chewing coach, dubbed Tark the Shark, has been hospitalized three times in 10 months.

He had a second heart attack last April and was treated for pneumonia in November.

Tarkanian led the 1990UNLVteam that won an NCAA national title and the1991 Runnin' Rebels who lost to Duke in the Final Four.

He retired in 2002 with a 729-201 record in 31 years at the Division I level, ranking 12th all time. He spent 19 seasons at UNLV, compiling a 509-105 mark.

Tarkanian later coached with theSan Antonio Spursand at Fresno State, leading the Bulldogs to the NCAA tournament twice.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.