Frank Layden, the former Utah Jazz coach and general manager who helped build one of the NBA’s most enduring franchises and brought national attention to basketball in Salt Lake City, has died at the age of 93.

Layden’s death was confirmed by the Jazz and multiple local outlets. He spent more than a decade helping shape the Jazz into a playoff mainstay, earning a reputation as both a savvy basketball mind and a larger-than-life personality.

One of the game’s great coaches, executives and especially characters.

For NBA fans in the 1980s, Frank Layden was everywhere.

For NBA writers? As quotable as it gets.

Condolences to Scott and the whole Layden family and Jazz fans everywhere. Frank will be sorely missed. https://t.co/Fy2lEwZfgq

— Marc Stein (@TheSteinLine) July 10, 2025

Layden began his NBA coaching career in 1976 as an assistant under Hubie Brown with the Atlanta Hawks. He joined the Jazz organization in 1979 as general manager while the team was still located in New Orleans. Two years later, he added head coaching duties and became a central figure in the team’s transition to Utah.

In 1984, Layden was named both NBA Coach of the Year and Executive of the Year after guiding the Jazz to their first division title. That same year, he drafted point guard John Stockton, then added Karl Malone in 1985 — forming one of the most iconic and productive duos in league history.

Layden coached the Jazz until 1989, compiling a 277–294 regular-season record and making five playoff appearances. He then handed the reins to assistant Jerry Sloan, who would go on to lead the franchise to its only two NBA Finals appearances.

“Frank brought relevance to Utah,” said former assistant Gordon Chiesa. “He was unique, he was authentic, he was an original. He treated everyone the same, from a custodian to the mayor of New York City.”

Layden remained with the Jazz in an executive role for several years after stepping down as coach. He later joined the New York Knicks as a consultant while his son, Scott Layden, served as the team’s general manager.

In 1998 and 1999, Layden briefly returned to coaching with the WNBA’s Utah Starzz.

Known for his humor and humanity as much as his basketball acumen, Layden summed up his outlook in a 2014 interview with The Deseret News.

“One thing I try to emphasize is it should be fun,” he said. “Anything you do. If you go to school, it should be fun; if you go to work, it should be fun. And then you work and each day there should be some satisfaction that you accomplished something.”

The Jazz organization and NBA community are mourning the loss of a beloved figure whose legacy still resonates in Utah and beyond.

Condolences go out to Layden’s family, friends, and all those he impacted throughout his career.