Frank Layden, beloved Jazz head coach and GM, dead at 93
Share this @internewscast.com

Frank Layden, who guided the Jazz to their inaugural NBA playoffs in 1984 and laid the groundwork for the team’s 1990s successes, passed away on Wednesday.

He was 93. 

A cause of death was not announced.


Frank Layden, former president of the Utah Jazz, is introduced during a 20-year reunion ceremony for the team that reached the 1997 NBA Finals, at halftime of the Jazz's basketball game against the New York Knicks on March 22, 2017, in Salt Lake City.
Frank Layden, former president of the Utah Jazz, is introduced during a 20-year reunion ceremony for the team that reached the 1997 NBA Finals, at halftime of the team’s game against the Knicks on March 22, 2017, in Salt Lake City. AP

Originally from Brooklyn, Layden was instrumental in settling the Jazz into their new location in Utah following their relocation from New Orleans to Salt Lake City. He assumed the role of general manager in 1979 and became the head coach two years later in 1981.

“Frank Layden made a significant and lasting impact on the Jazz, the state of Utah, and the NBA,” the Jazz shared on X. “He was truly unique, and our thoughts are with his family as we mourn his passing and celebrate his remarkable life. Rest in peace, Coach.”

Layden began his coaching career at the collegiate level at his alma mater, Niagara University, where he coached for eight seasons and helped lead the program to an NCAA tournament appearance in 1970, the school’s first. 

“Frank had the unique ability to be larger than life yet able to care for those in his circle on a personal level,” Simon Gray, Niagara University’s associate vice president for athletics, said in a statement.  “Although it has been 70 years since he graduated, I am confident that Niagara was on his mind at some point of every day since.  He consistently checked in with his alma mater and showed his love for Monteagle Ridge in a myriad of ways. We will miss him dearly.”

He moved to the professional ranks in 1976 as an assistant coach with the Hawks before taking the GM job with the Jazz three years later. 

During his time in the Jazz front office, Layden made two of the biggest picks in franchise history when he selected Karl Malone 16th overall in 1984 and John Stockton in 1985 at 13th overall.


Head Coach Frank Layden of the Utah Jazz calls a play against the Sacramento Kings on January 2, 1988 at Arco Arena in Sacramento California.
Head coach Frank Layden of the Jazz calls a play against the

Kings on Jan. 2, 1988 at Arco Arena in Sacramento California. NBAE via Getty Images

Malone and Stockton would go on to become the faces of basketball in Utah and were both enshrined in the Naismith Hall of Fame. 

It turns out 1984 may have been the best year for Layden.

He led the Jazz to the playoffs — a feat the team would pull off five times during his tenure — and coached in the NBA All-Star Game before getting named the NBA Coach of the Year and Executive of the Year.

Layden went 277-294 as Jazz head coach in the regular season. In December 1988, he stepped down as head coach, while retaining the role of team president and general manager. 

The move paved the way for Jerry Sloan to lead the Jazz to back-to-back NBA Finals appearances in 1997 and 1998. 

Layden briefly coached the WNBA’s Utah Starzz — who would later become the Las Vegas Aces — and served a short time as a consultant for the Knicks when his son, Scott Layden, was general manager.

Share this @internewscast.com
You May Also Like
SBU Colonel Ivan Voronych, 50, was shot dead by a masked assassin in Kyiv

Putin Supporters Celebrate Bold Daytime Assassination of Ukrainian Spy Chief, Hint at Kremlin Involvement

VLADIMIR Putin’s associates have openly celebrated the bold assassination of the Ukrainian…
Illustration of Indiana fireworks legality: pie charts showing legal times to set off fireworks for various dates.

New July 9 ‘Fireworks’ Law Enforces Instant Fines in US Cities for Violations—With One Date Exception

PEOPLE who set off fireworks now face instant fines for breaking a…
Photo of a smiling baby in a field.

Heartbreaking: 1-Year-Old Dies in Overheated Car as Mom Attends Beauty Appointment

A ONE-year-old boy has died a horrific death after being left in…
FBI seeking military vet suspected in ICE ambush at Texas detention facility

FBI Searches for Military Veteran Suspected in ICE Facility Attack in Texas

The FBI is currently on the hunt for a veteran who is…
Ford recalls 850K vehicles over fuel pump failure

Ford Issues Recall for 850,000 Vehicles Due to Fuel Pump Problems

Ford Motor is recalling over 850,000 vehicles in the USA due to…
Jeffrey Epstein's brother laughs at 'stupid' FBI memo defending controversial suicide ruling: report

Jeffrey Epstein’s Brother Mocks ‘Ridiculous’ FBI Memo Justifying Suicide Ruling: Report

Jeffrey Epstein’s brother has criticized federal investigators for their recent statement indicating…
Fifth paralyzed patient implanted with Musk-backed Neuralink chip

Neuralink Installs Brain Chip in Fifth Paralyzed Patient

A fifth paralyzed patient has been implanted with a Neuralink chip backed…
Professor Proposes Renaming His School 'George Floyd University'... Then He Really Goes Off the Rails

Professor Suggests Renaming His School ‘George Floyd University’… Then Things Take a Surprising Turn

In this episode of “No, This Isn’t a Satire Piece From the…
Crockett said she 'broke down in tears' watching Alex Padilla get forcibly removed from press conference

Crockett Said Watching Alex Padilla Being Forced Out of Press Conference Made Her Cry

In a recent podcast interview, Rep. Jasmine Crockett of Texas expressed that…
Man in suit reviewing documents.

Evidence of Torture Discovered on Fired Putin Minister’s Body Before Alleged Suicide

The Kremlin has been charged with concealing the demise of a dismissed…
Rhode Island man charged for allegedly threatening to kill Trump, other administration officials

Rhode Island Resident Accused of Making Death Threats Against Trump and Other Officials

Authorities in Rhode Island have arrested a man who is now facing…
First responders at a collapsed tunnel site.

Tunnel Collapse Traps 31 Workers 450 Feet Below Ground at Los Angeles’ Massive $600 Million Sewer Project

SEVERAL construction workers were trapped underground after a tunnel collapsed in Los…