Latest news with #FrankLayden
Los Angeles Times
10-07-2025
- Sport
- Los Angeles Times
Frank Layden, sharp-witted coach of the Utah Jazz, dies at 93
SALT LAKE CITY — Frank Layden, the sharp-witted former coach who led the Utah Jazz to the playoffs for the first time, has died. He was 93. 'Frank Layden made a lasting impact on the Jazz, the state of Utah, and the NBA,' the Jazz said in a statement Wednesday. 'There will never be another like him. Our thoughts go out to his family as we join in mourning his loss and celebrating his life. Rest easy, Coach.' Known for his humor and sideline antics, Layden coached the Jazz from 1981-89 and had 277 wins, third-most in franchise history. He's the only coach in Jazz history to be named NBA coach of the year, earning the honor in 1984, when he also was honored as executive of the year. Among the best one-liners attributed to him was one about a problem player he coached: 'I told him, 'Son, what is it with you? Is it ignorance or apathy?' He said 'Coach, I don't know and I don't care.'' For years, including during his time coaching the Jazz, Layden struggled with his weight, leading him to quip: 'I don't know but I stepped on a scale that gives fortunes and the card read 'Come back in 15 minutes alone.'' Born in Brooklyn in 1932, Layden began his coaching career in the high school ranks before moving on to coach at his alma mater, Niagara University. He made the jump to the NBA in 1976 on Hubie Brown's staff with the Atlanta Hawks and became the New Orleans Jazz's general manager in 1979. Layden moved with the team to Salt Lake City, then took over as coach after Tom Nissalke was fired midway through the 1981-82 season. Layden led the franchise to its first playoff appearance in his second season. Layden stepped away from coaching early in the 1988-89 season and was replaced by future Hall of Famer Jerry Sloan. Layden stayed on as the team's president and general manager, part of a staff that selected Hall of Famers John Stockton and Karl Malone. He spent one season as coach of the WNBA's Utah Starzz in 1998-99. 'It's hard to imagine the story of the Utah Jazz without the presence of Frank Layden,' Jazz owners Ryan and Ashley Smith said. 'He was an amazing person who meant so much to this organization and to our fans. His love of the sport was felt around the NBA, and he set the franchise on a course for success, helping to build an enduring legacy for the state of Utah.' Layden remained in the Salt Lake City area after leaving coaching and earned the Chuck Daly Lifetime Achievement Award in 2019.
Miami Herald
10-07-2025
- Sport
- Miami Herald
Legendary Jazz coach/GM Frank Layden dies at 93
Former Utah Jazz coach and general manager Frank Layden died on Wednesday. He was 93. Layden coached the Jazz for seven-plus seasons (1981-89) and also served in the front office as general manager and president until retiring in the final week of 1999. He was NBA Coach of the Year and NBA Executive of the Year in 1984. Layden laid the foundation for success for Utah by drafting point guard John Stockton 16th in the 1984 draft and power forward Karl Malone 13th in the 1985 draft. Both players enjoyed Hall of Fame careers and the Jazz put together a streak of 20 straight playoff appearances, reaching the NBA Finals in both 1997 and 1998. "We are sad to hear the news of Frank Layden's passing," said the Miller family, owners of the Jazz. "Frank was not only a foundational part of the Utah Jazz, he was a pillar in our community. We will continue to celebrate his passion and energy that helped build the Jazz into a contending team, and his endearing sense of humor. "Frank's love of sports was contagious. He could often be found spending a night at the ballpark with the Salt Lake Bees, leading us in song during the 7th inning stretch. He was a dear friend and remarkable partner. We share our love with Barbara, Scott and the extended Layden family." Layden was hired as GM of the New Orleans Jazz in 1979 and stuck with the franchise during its move to Utah. He compiled a 277-294 coaching record and guided the Jazz to five straight postseason appearances. When he resigned as coach early in the 1988-89 season, Layden promoted Jerry Sloan, who went on to win 1,127 games with Utah. Layden also had a short stint with the Utah Starzz of the WNBA. He resigned four games into the 1999 season, his second at the helm. Among his other stops was coach of Niagara from 1968-76. Future NBA star Calvin Murphy led the school to its first NCAA Tournament appearance in Layden's second season. Layden went 119-97 at Niagara. In 2019, Layden was that year's winner of the Chuck Daly Lifetime Achievement Award. --Field Level Media Field Level Media 2023 - All Rights Reserved
New York Times
10-07-2025
- Sport
- New York Times
Frank Layden, beloved Jazz coach and franchise-changing architect, dies at 93
Frank Layden, who coached the Utah Jazz with a colorful presence in the 1980s and was instrumental in building the team's success in the '90s, died at 93, the Jazz announced Wednesday. No cause of death was shared. Layden's time with the Jazz began in 1979 as general manager, when the team was in New Orleans. Two years later, with the team relocated to Salt Lake City, he replaced Tom Nissalke as coach midway through the 1981-82 season, when the Jazz went 25-57. By 1984, Layden had them in the playoffs. Advertisement He won the NBA Coach of the Year and the NBA Executive of the Year awards that season for orchestrating the Jazz's 15-win improvement, anchored by All-Star Adrian Dantley and the recently drafted Mark Eaton. Red Auerbach, Pat Riley and Larry Bird are the only others to win both awards in their careers. But it was shortly after winning his 1984 awards that Layden made the first of his historically key roster moves: drafting John Stockton. With the No. 16 pick in the 1984 draft, the Layden-led front office selected the 6-feet-1 guard who would go on to tally the most assists in NBA history. The following year, Layden made his second historically key call by drafting Karl Malone. Like Stockton, Layden unearthed a future Hall of Famer with a mid-round pick, nabbing the forward with the No. 13 pick. Malone went on to retire with the second-most points in NBA history after 19 seasons. Integral in getting the team to Utah,Coach of the Year,Executive of the Year, Giant in the community,And a pivotal figure in Utah sports history. There was no one like Coach Layden 💜 — Utah Jazz (@utahjazz) July 10, 2025 Layden continued to coach Utah's young core to playoff runs until he promoted assistant Jerry Sloan to replace him as head coach in the in 1988-89 season. Sloan took over the Jazz 17 games into another winning season, as Layden cited burnout as his reason to focus solely on the team's front office. 'Sometimes in the NBA, you feel like a dog. You age seven years in one,' Layden told The Washington Post at the time. 'The pressure in the NBA is intense. It's time to have my time.' With Sloan, Malone and Stockton leading the on-court success and Layden mentoring from the front office, the Jazz continued their playoff streak until 2003. Their trips to the NBA Finals in 1997 and 1998 highlighted that run. Advertisement Before the NBA, Layden began his coaching career by leading Niagara University, his alma mater, for eight years. He then entered the NBA ranks as an assistant coach on his former Niagara teammate Hubie Brown's staff with the Atlanta Hawks. After stepping away from the Jazz in the late '90s, Layden briefly coached the WNBA's Utah Starzz (now the Las Vegas Aces) before quitting for the same reason as a decade before with the Jazz, saying he wanted to 'enjoy life.' Layden enjoyed life as a basketball statesman in Salt Lake City up until his death, appearing at Jazz games and entertaining crowds with his witty storytelling. The Layden family legacy continues in the NBA via Frank's son, Scott. Scott Layden's career began as a Jazz front office assistant under his father in the '80s and has included stints with the New York Knicks, San Antonio Spurs, Minnesota Timberwolves and Sacramento Kings. 'It was a wonderful time growing up,' Scott told in 2012. 'My dad is a great storyteller. He's a great extemporaneous speaker. And he's noted for being a funny guy. He has a Henny Youngman act.' 'My dad was the ultimate coach,' Scott said.
UPI
10-07-2025
- Sport
- UPI
Ex-Utah Jazz coach Frank Layden dies at 93
July 10 (UPI) -- Former NBA coach and general manager Frank Layden, who led the Utah Jazz to the playoffs for the first time in 1984, has died, the franchise announced. He was 93. Layden died Wednesday. His cause of death was not disclosed. "Frank Layden made a lasting impact on the Jazz, the state of Utah, and the NBA," the Jazz said in a statement. "There will never be another like him. Our thoughts go out to his family as we join in mourning his loss and celebrating his life. Rest easy, coach." Layden coached at Niagara from 1968 to 1976. He went on to become an assistant coach for the Atlanta Hawks, a role he held from 1976 to 1979. Jazz hired Layden as their general manager in 1979. He became head coach in 1981. Layden, who helped draft Hall of Famers Karl Malone and John Stockton, led the Jazz to a 277-294 record over eight seasons, including a 45-37 mark in 1983-84, when they made their first playoff run. The Jazz made the playoffs five-consecutive times from 1983-84 through 1987-1988. Layden earned Coach of the Year, Executive of the Year and the J. Walter Kennedy Citizenship Award in 1984. Layden retired from coaching during the 1988-89 season. Layden became an honorary assistant coach for the Continental Basketball Association's Utah Eagles in 2006. He served as head coach of the Women's National Basketball Association's Utah Starzz from 1998 through 1999. "It's hard to imagine the story of the Utah Jazz without the presence of Frank Layden," Jazz owners Ryan and Ashley Smith said. "He was an amazing person who meant so much to this organization and to our fans. "His love of the sport was felt around the NBA, and he set the franchise on a course for success, helping to build an enduring legacy for the state of Utah." Notable deaths of 2025 Julian McMahon Australian actor Julian McMahon, a cast member in "Premonition," arrives for the premiere of the film at the Arclight Cinerama Dome in Los Angeles on March 12, 2007. The actor, known for roles in "Nip/Tuck," "Fantastic Four" and "FBI: Most Wanted" Australian actor Julian McMahon, a cast member in "Premonition," arrives for the premiere of the film at the Arclight Cinerama Dome in Los Angeles on March 12, 2007. The actor, known for roles in "Nip/Tuck," "Fantastic Four" and "FBI: Most Wanted" died at the age of 56 of cancer on July 4th. Photo by Jim Ruymen/UPI | License Photo
Time of India
10-07-2025
- Sport
- Time of India
Frank Layden, who led Utah Jazz to first playoffs, dies at 93
Image credit: Utah Jazz/X Former Utah Jazz coach Frank Layden passed away on Thursday at the age of 93. The legendary coach was best known for being the first to lead the Utah Jazz to the playoffs. Over the course of his career, Layden also served as the head coach of the Atlanta Hawks and the WNBA team Utah Starzz. Renowned for his mentoring skills, he was honored with both the NBA Coach of the Year and Executive of the Year awards in 1984. Condolences have poured in from across the NBA community, including tributes from the league and the Utah Jazz ownership. NBA mourns Frank Layden The Utah Jazz posted an emotional tribute to Frank Layden. "Frank Layden made a lasting impact on the Jazz, the state of Utah, and the NBA. There will never be another like him. Our thoughts go out to his family as we join in mourning his loss and celebrating his life. Rest easy, Coach," the team said on their social media handle. Jazz owners Ryan and Ashley Smith also paid tribute to Layden. "It's hard to imagine the story of the Utah Jazz without the presence of Frank Layden," Jazz owners Ryan and Ashley Smith said. "He was an amazing person who meant so much to this organization and to our fans. His love of the sport was felt around the NBA, and he set the franchise on a course for success, helping to build an enduring legacy for the state of Utah," their statement further read. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like 5-year-old girl needs her second heart surgery! Donate For Health Donate Now Undo The NBA also took to social media and mourned Layden's death. "The NBA mourns the passing of Utah Jazz legend Frank Layden, an award-winning head coach and basketball executive. His unique sense of humor and genuine kindness made him a beloved figure around the game, including during his time as a WNBA head coach. We extend our heartfelt sympathies to Frank's family and the Jazz organisation," the NBA wrote. Also Read: Ace Bailey steals the show as Utah Jazz dominate Memphis Grizzlies in Summer League thriller As per the Associated Press, Layden coached the Jazz from 1981 to 1989 and had 277 wins, the third most in franchise history. He is the only coach in Jazz history to be named NBA Coach of the Year, earning the honor in 1984, when he was also honored as Executive of the Year. Catch Manika Batra's inspiring story on Game On, Episode 3. Watch Here!
