Frank Layden
Encyclopedia
Frank Laydenis a retired American basketball
coach and executive of the NBA's Utah Jazz
.
's basketball team. Layden coached Niagara to its first NCAA tournament appearance in 1970, with the help of Calvin Murphy. In 1976 he was hired to be an assistant coach with the NBA's Atlanta Hawks joining former Niagara teammate Hubie Brown
. In 1979 he was hired to be the General Manager of the then New Orleans Jazz
, and became the head coach of the Jazz (now in Salt Lake City) in 1981, replacing Tom Nissalke
. He would be the coach of the Jazz for the next seven and a half years. He was instrumental in drafting and signing franchise mainstays John Stockton
and Karl Malone
to the club. He retired from coaching during the 1988-1989 season, moving into the team's front office. (He was replaced as coach by Jerry Sloan
.)
In 1984, Layden was awarded the NBA's Coach of the Year. That same season, he also won the NBA's Executive of the Year and the NBA's J. Walter Kennedy Citizenship Award
s. (He and Joe O'Toole are the only non-players in NBA history to win the award).
as the new head coach.
Layden once served briefly as a consultant for the New York Knicks
, where his son Scott Layden
served as general manager for a time.
Layden is remembered for once trying to start a non NBA player for the second half of a game, after the non NBA player hit a half court shot during the half time of the game.
Basketball
Basketball is a team sport in which two teams of five players try to score points by throwing or "shooting" a ball through the top of a basketball hoop while following a set of rules...
coach and executive of the NBA's Utah Jazz
Utah Jazz
The Utah Jazz is a professional basketball team based in Salt Lake City, Utah. They are currently a part of the Northwest Division of the Western Conference in the National Basketball Association...
.
Coaching career
In additional to his coaching at the professional level, Layden is also a former head coach and player of his alma mater Niagara UniversityNiagara University
Niagara University is a Catholic university in the Vincentian tradition, located in the Town of Lewiston in Niagara County, New York. Originally founded by the Congregation of the Mission in 1856 as Our Lady of Angels Seminary, it became Niagara University in 1883. The University is still run by...
's basketball team. Layden coached Niagara to its first NCAA tournament appearance in 1970, with the help of Calvin Murphy. In 1976 he was hired to be an assistant coach with the NBA's Atlanta Hawks joining former Niagara teammate Hubie Brown
Hubie Brown
Hubert Jude "Hubie" Brown is a retired American basketball coach and a current television analyst. Brown is a two-time NBA Coach of the Year, the honors being separated by 26 years...
. In 1979 he was hired to be the General Manager of the then New Orleans Jazz
Utah Jazz
The Utah Jazz is a professional basketball team based in Salt Lake City, Utah. They are currently a part of the Northwest Division of the Western Conference in the National Basketball Association...
, and became the head coach of the Jazz (now in Salt Lake City) in 1981, replacing Tom Nissalke
Tom Nissalke
Thomas Edward "Tom" Nissalke is a retired former American professional basketball coach in the NBA and American Basketball Association...
. He would be the coach of the Jazz for the next seven and a half years. He was instrumental in drafting and signing franchise mainstays John Stockton
John Stockton
John Houston Stockton is a retired American professional basketball player who spent his entire career as a point guard for the Utah Jazz of the NBA from 1984 to 2003. Stockton is regarded as one of the best point guards of all time, holding the NBA records for most career assists and steals by...
and Karl Malone
Karl Malone
Karl Anthony Malone , nicknamed "The Mailman", is a retired American professional basketball power forward who spent the majority of his career with the Utah Jazz of the National Basketball Association . Malone spent his first 18 seasons with the Jazz and formed a formidable duo with his teammate...
to the club. He retired from coaching during the 1988-1989 season, moving into the team's front office. (He was replaced as coach by Jerry Sloan
Jerry Sloan
Gerald Eugene "Jerry" Sloan , is an American former National Basketball Association player and head coach, and a member of the Basketball Hall of Fame. NBA commissioner David Stern called Sloan "one of the greatest and most respected coaches in NBA history." Sloan had a career regular-season...
.)
In 1984, Layden was awarded the NBA's Coach of the Year. That same season, he also won the NBA's Executive of the Year and the NBA's J. Walter Kennedy Citizenship Award
J. Walter Kennedy Citizenship Award
The J. Walter Kennedy Citizenship Award is an annual National Basketball Association award given since the 1974–75 NBA season to a player, coach, or trainer who shows "outstanding service and dedication to the community"...
s. (He and Joe O'Toole are the only non-players in NBA history to win the award).
Retirement
Layden retired from coaching the Jazz in 1989 to serve full time as the franchise Team President and General Manager, hiring former NBA player and then Jazz assistant Jerry SloanJerry Sloan
Gerald Eugene "Jerry" Sloan , is an American former National Basketball Association player and head coach, and a member of the Basketball Hall of Fame. NBA commissioner David Stern called Sloan "one of the greatest and most respected coaches in NBA history." Sloan had a career regular-season...
as the new head coach.
Layden once served briefly as a consultant for the New York Knicks
New York Knicks
The New York Knickerbockers, prominently known as the Knicks, are a professional basketball team based in New York City. They are part of the Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference in the National Basketball Association...
, where his son Scott Layden
Scott Layden
Scott Layden is an assistant coach who is currently in his second season with the Utah Jazz. He is one of four assistants. Layden's objective as an assistant coach is to help Jazz players improve their basketball skills, prepare them for opponents with the use of scouting reports, and to coordinate...
served as general manager for a time.
Layden is remembered for once trying to start a non NBA player for the second half of a game, after the non NBA player hit a half court shot during the half time of the game.
Personal life
He continues to live with his wife, Barbara, in Salt Lake City, where he is a local icon.External links
- DatabaseBasketball.com: Frank Layden
- http://www.buffalosportshallfame.com/2000/frank_layden.html Buffalo Sports Hall of Fame: Frank Layden]