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Frank Layden is a former coach and executive of the NBA's Utah Jazz, in addition to being a former coach and player with Niagara University. He coached Niagara to its first NCAA tournament appearance in 1968, with the help of Calvin Murphy. 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 signing 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 the NBA's Coach of the Year. He also has won NBA Executive of the Year and the NBA's J. Walter Kennedy Citizenship Award (and is the only non-player in NBA history to do so).
He retired from the Jazz in 1998, and served briefly as a consultant for the New York Knicks, where his son Scott Layden served as general manager for a time.
Layden has long been known for his sense of humor, for which he was hired to be the co-host of two volumes of Dazzling Dunks And Basketball Bloopers, produced by NBA Entertainment in 1989. He is one of the most quotable figures in basketball.
In college, Layden was roommates with another future NBA coach Hubie Brown.
He continues to live in Salt Lake City, where he is a local icon.
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