The former Utah Jazz leader, Frank Layden, who guided the selection and cultivation of Karl Malone and John Stockton, passed away Wednesday, the Jazz organization verified. He had reached the age of 93.
During the Jazz’s formative period in Utah during the 1980s, Layden dedicated seven years as the team’s coach, achieving a career record of 277 victories and 294 defeats. Furthermore, he was honored with the 1984 NBA Coach of the Year distinction. He also held the position of head coach for the WNBA’s Utah Starzz, now recognized as the Las Vegas Aces.
Originating from Brooklyn, Layden’s coaching journey commenced even before his high school graduation, as he took charge of the freshman basketball team as a fellow student, according to Deseret News. Following a decade-long stint as a high school coach, he returned to his alma mater, Niagara University, in 1968 to assume the roles of basketball coach and athletic director.
Layden transitioned into the NBA in 1976, serving as an assistant coach with the Atlanta Hawks. Subsequently, he joined the Jazz as general manager when the franchise relocated to Utah in 1979. He maintained this dual role when he succeeded Tom Nissalke as head coach in 1981.
Layden’s most enduring legacy lies in his astute selections of Malone and Stockton in consecutive drafts. Stockton, emerging from the then-underrecognized Gonzaga program, surprised many as the 16th overall pick in 1984, followed by Malone as the 13th overall selection in 1985. This duo would come to symbolize Utah basketball through the beginning of the 21st century.
Layden also drafted Darrell Griffith and Mark Eaton, and orchestrated a trade for Adrian Dantley and Jeff Hornacek, all of whom evolved into franchise legends. Layden was responsible for acquiring six of the seven Jazz players whose numbers have been retired by the team, with Pete Maravich being the sole exception.
Under Layden’s guidance, the Jazz consistently made playoff appearances after 1984, although they never progressed beyond the conference semifinals. He stepped down as head coach 17 games into the 1988-89 season, while retaining his positions as GM and team president. This decision paved the way for Jerry Sloan to take over and eventually lead the Jazz to the 1997 and 1998 NBA Finals.
Beyond his exceptional basketball acumen, Layden was celebrated for his sharp wit, as documented by Deseret from his introductory press conference with the Jazz in 1979:
Regarding his son Scott joining the Jazz staff: “I didn’t hire Scott because he’s my son, I hired him because I’m married to his mother.”
On managing players: “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.’”
His response to a fan inquiring about the game’s start time: “What time can you be there?”
Hubie Brown, who brought Layden on board with the Hawks, offered high praise for his character:
“Throughout my life, I’ve encountered many humorous individuals. Frank Layden remains the most entertaining person I have ever known. He was perpetually performing, and he never relied on notes. It was simply natural. He was akin to ‘Saturday Night Live’ on a daily basis.”
While serving as Jazz president, Layden also assumed the role of Starzz head coach in 1998 but resigned four games into his second season. He ultimately resigned from the Jazz shortly thereafter and enjoyed his retirement, later accepting a consulting role with the New York Knicks during his son Scott’s tenure as the team’s general manager.
Source: https://sports.yahoo.com/nba/breaking-news/article/former-jazz-head-coach-and-gm-frank-layden-who-drafted-karl-malone-and-john-stockton-dies-at-93-235637520.html
