Niagara, N.Y. -- Former Utah Jazz coach, general manager and president Frank Layden will have his Niagara University jersey retired by the school on Feb. 11.
 |
Join the Discussion |
 |
Post a Comment |
"I'm thrilled to be coming home to join such great friends and teammates in this wonderful honor," said Layden, who played for Niagara from 1951-55.
Layden also coached his alma mater for eight seasons, including taking the school to its first-ever NCAA tournament in 1970. Layden and future Naismith Hall of Famer Calvin Murphy helped Niagara defeat No. 7 Penn, 79-69, in the first round. He finished his coaching tenure at Niagara at the end of the 1975-76 season with 119 career wins.
Layden’s next move was to the NBA, where he worked under former college teammate Hubie Brown for three seasons as an assistant coach with the Atlanta Hawks.
The New Orleans Jazz hired Layden as general manager in 1979 and, after the team moved to Utah, he added the numerous responsibilities.
From 1981-89, Layden’s team made the playoffs in five straight seasons (1983-88) and he was named 1984 NBA Coach of the Year and Executive of the Year.
After he finished his coaching career in 1989, Layden remained as general manager through 1998 and guided the Jazz to the top of the NBA. The team averaged 55 wins per season over his last 10 years with the organization and twice advanced to the NBA Finals.
Copyright 2012 The Salt Lake Tribune. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
