Jerry Tarkanian Dead -- Legendary College Basketball Coach Dies at 84

Jerry Tarkanian -- one of the greatest college basketball coaches of all time -- has passed away at a Las Vegas hospital after battling a respiratory ailment ... this according to his son.

The 84-year-old -- aka "Tark the Shark" -- was first hospitalized Monday ... but his health took a serious turn for the worse and he ultimately passed away Wednesday morning.

Jerry's son Danny tweeted the news moments ago, "Coach Tark, my father, the greatest man I have ever known, passed today, to take his place in heaven. I will miss him every day of my life."

Tarkanian led UNLV to the NCAA national championship in 1990 ... and helped them reach the Final Four the following year.