Salt Lake City – The basketball world mourns the loss of Frank Layden, the charismatic former coach who led the Utah Jazz to the playoffs for the first time in their history. Layden passed away at the age of 93, leaving an indelible legacy in the NBA.
Frank Layden had a lasting impact on the Jazz, the state of Utah, and the NBA. There will never be another like him. Our thoughts are with his family as we mourn his loss and celebrate his life. Rest in peace, coach.
Official statement from the Utah Jazz
Recognized for his humor and on-court quips, Layden coached the Jazz from 1981 to 1989, accumulating 277 victories, the third-highest number in franchise history. He is the only coach in Jazz history to be named NBA Coach of the Year, a distinction he earned in 1984, the year he was also recognized as Executive of the Year.Frank Layden dirigió a los Jazz de 1981 a 1989 y obtuvo 277 victorias, la tercera mayor cantidad en la historia de la franquicia. Es el único entrenador en la historia de los Jazz en ser nombrado Entrenador del Año de la NBA.Born in Brooklyn in 1932, Layden began his career as a coach in high school before coaching at his alma mater, Niagara University. He made the jump to the NBA in 1976, joining Hubie Brown’s coaching staff with the Atlanta Hawks, and became general manager of the New Orleans Jazz in 1979.
Layden took over as coach after Tom Nissalke was fired mid-season in 1981-82 and led the franchise to its first playoff appearance in his second season. He left the coaching position early in the 1988-89 season, being replaced by Jerry Sloan, who would later be a Hall of Fame member.
Layden remained with the team as president and general manager, being part of the staff that selected Hall of Fame members John Stockton and Karl Malone. In addition, he coached the Utah Starzz of the WNBA for one season, in 1998-99.
Layden remained in the Salt Lake City area after retiring from coaching and was awarded the Chuck Daly Lifetime Achievement Award in 2019.
