Magic Johnson Reacts to Sudden Passing of Legendary NBA Coach at Age 93
The basketball world was saddened to learn on Wednesday about the passing of longtime head coach and executive Frank Layden who played a pivotal role in leading the Utah Jazz to prominence and kickstarting there organization when they moved to Salt Lake City in 1981.
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Layden was the general manager of the Jazz in 1979 when the team was in New Orleans and when they moved to Utah, he took over as the teams head coach midway through the 1981 season.
By 1984, Layden had led the Jazz to the NBA postseason for the first time as a organization located in Utah, which was a monumental moment and eventually played into them becoming a premier team throughout the late 1980's and into the 1990's with John Stockton and Karl Malone.
Layden was responsible for drafting Stockton in the 1984 draft out of Gonzaga No. 16 overall and then selected Malone the following year.
A player that saw the Jazz many times during these days was none other than Los Angeles Lakers legend and Hall of Famer Magic Johnson, who reacted to the sad news on Thursday.
"I am sorry to hear about the passing of Coach Frank Layden who coached the Utah Jazz from 1981-1989," Johnson wrote. "Coach Layden made Utah one of the toughest teams for my Lakers to play against because of his brilliant strategies on offense and defense. Most people don't know he also had an awesome sense of humor. I will be praying for the Layden family during this difficult time."
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NBA legend Magic Johnson during the 2022 NBA Finals between the Golden State Warriors and the Boston Celtics at Chase Center.Darren Yamashita-Imagn Images
Frank Layden played a pivotal role in the development of the Utah Jazz, serving the organization in various capacities until the 1988–89 season, when he promoted assistant coach Jerry Sloan to take over as head coach. Layden remained a key presence in the front office for several years after, serving as a mentor and advisor.
Following his passing, the Jazz released a heartfelt statement:
"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."
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Related: Magic Johnson Issues Public Apology to Thunder Following NBA Finals Berth
This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jul 10, 2025, where it first appeared.
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