Latest news with #FrankLayden
Yahoo
5 hours ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Former Jazz coach Frank Layden passes away at 93
SALT LAKE CITY (ABC4 Sports) – Former Utah Jazz head coach Frank Layden has passed away at the age of 93. Layden coached the Jazz from 1981-1988, going 277-294 in just over seven seasons. He stepped down during the 1988-89 season to allow Jerry Sloan to take over. Sloan went on to become a Hall of Fame coach. Layden then became the team president and general manager from 1988-1999. He began his career with the New Orleans Jazz as the general manager in 1979. Layden led the Jazz to a division title in the 1983-84 season when he was named the NBA Coach of the Year and NBA Executive of the Year. Layden was the coach when the Jazz drafted future Hall of Famers John Stockton and Karl Malone. The Miller Family issued a statement Wednesday night saying, 'We are sad to hear the news of Frank Layden's passing. 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.' Clayton scores 20 as Jazz complete unbeaten Summer League 'It's a sad day,' said Jazz play-by-play announcer Craig Bolerjack. 'It's a sad day for Utah, sad day for the Jazz. He brought everybody together, and I hope that's part of that legacy that people will remember as well.' Layden was known as one of the most charismatic and funniest coaches in American sports history. He often joked with fans, referees and the media, making fun of his weight and the Jazz early struggles. Once a fan asked Layden when the Jazz game as going to start at the Salt Palace, and the head coach famously replied, 'what time can you be there?' 'Frank was a lot of things wrapped in that body,' said former Jazz player Thurl Bailey. 'He was a human marketing machine for the Jazz when they really needed it. Even after he was retired, he would still be out in the community. You always see [his wife] Barbara with him for the most part. I mean, they were a team.' 'If we had a Mount Rushmore in Utah of significant sports figures, he'd be right there, right there at the top,' said former sportswriter Lee Benson. Layden started coaching at his alma mater, Niagara University in New York. After helping lead the program to its first NCAA Tournament appearance in 1970, Layden jumped to the NBA when he served as an assistant with Atlanta in 1976. Layden's son Scott was a Jazz assistant coach from 1981-92. The Jazz organization released the following statement: 'Frank Layden will always be an iconic figure in Utah Jazz history for the pivotal role he played in shaping the franchise as a coach, general manager, and president across a two-decade span. Frank coached the Jazz to their first five playoff appearances, and he had the distinction of drafting two future Hall of Famers and naming a third Hall of Famer as the coach to replace him. Frank accomplished so much in the sport of basketball – all with a sense of self-deprecating humor and lightheartedness that made him a colorful character who was beloved by all. The Jazz join his family, friends, and fans in mourning his loss and express endless gratitude for his invaluable contributions.' Current Jazz owners Ryan and Ashley Smith released a statement saying, 'It's hard to imagine the story of the Utah Jazz without the presence of Frank Layden. 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. Frank was known for his enthusiasm, commitment and humor, but his impact on Utah extended far beyond the court thanks to his generosity and community outreach efforts that made such a difference in people's lives. We are so grateful for all of the dedication, passion, and energy he put into helping make the Jazz who we are today. He will be missed by many, and we send our love to his family, especially to his wife Barbara, who was always by his side.' Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
5 hours ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Filipowski named MVP of Vegas Summer League
SALT LAKE CITY (ABC4 Sports) – Despite playing in just three games in the Las Vegas Summer League, Jazz forward Kyle Filipowski was named the Most Valuable Player of the event. Filipowski is the first Jazz player to win the Summer League MVP award. 'I think I was just trying to show how good of a player I am, how dominant of a player I am,' Filipowski said after winning the award. 'I didn't think I would be the MVP of the league this summer. I didn't even think about that for for a second.' Former Jazz coach Frank Layden passes away at 93 In the three games he played, Filipowski averaged 29.3 points and 7.7 rebounds per game, while shooting 56 percent from the floor. Filipowski scored 35 points in his final game against the Spurs. 'It's pretty cool,' Filipowski said. 'I don't even know if I get a trophy or anything, but it's pretty cool just to see my my hard work paying off and with these little accolades. It's just another positive step towards improving myself and trying to be a positive factor.' The Jazz went 1-4 in the Las Vegas Summer League after winning all three games of the Salt Lake City Summer League. On this extremely young roster, Filipowski seems poised for a big role this upcoming season, something he's looking forward to. Clayton scores 20 as Jazz complete unbeaten Summer League 'They've been very proud of the work I've been putting in this summer leading up to this,' Filipowski said. 'But obviously it's just another stepping stone to the bigger picture. The larger goal that we have in mind and going into training camp and in year two. Just with the confidence and the the comfortability, it's just starting out with that, and I definitely feel like I'm in the right headspace.' Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
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.
