July 10 (UPI) -- Former NBA coach and general manager Frank Layden, who led the Utah Jazz to the playoffs for the first time in 1984, has died, the franchise announced. He was 93.
Layden died Wednesday. His cause of death was not disclosed.
"Frank Layden made a lasting impact on the Jazz, the state of Utah, and the NBA," the Jazz said in a statement. "There will never be another like him. Our thoughts go out to his family as we join in mourning his loss and celebrating his life. Rest easy, coach."
Layden coached at Niagara from 1968 to 1976. He went on to become an assistant coach for the Atlanta Hawks, a role he held from 1976 to 1979. Jazz hired Layden as their general manager in 1979. He became head coach in 1981.
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