Former NBA Coach of the Year Doug Moe, who was best known for his 10 seasons as head coach of the Denver Nuggets, has died. He was 85.
“The Denver Nuggets organization was devastated to learn of the passing of legendary coach Doug Moe,” the Nuggets wrote in a [post to X](https://x.com/nuggets/status/2023845439787987426) on Tuesday. “Coach Moe was a one of a kind leader and person who spearheaded one of the most successful and exciting decades in Nuggets history.”
Moe’s son, David, said Doug died after a long bout with cancer, longtime Denver TV personality Ron Zappolo told [The Associated Press](https://apnews.com/article/doug-moe-dead-nuggets-19e57eb3a0bb11ed9b833c219cee77e8).
Moe coached four seasons in the ABA before coaching 21 seasons in the NBA, including 15 as a head coach for the Nuggets, San Antonio Spurs and Philadelphia 76ers. He compiled a 628-529 career record, including 432 of those wins in his 10 seasons with the Nuggets from 1980-90.
Moe led the high-scoring Nuggets to the Western Conference Finals in 1985, where Denver lost to the eventual NBA champion Los Angeles Lakers in five games. He was also named the NBA Coach of the Year during the 1987-88 season, when he led Denver to an NBA-best 54-28 record that season.
“He will forever be loved and remembered by Nuggets fans and his banner commemorating his 432 career victories as Nuggets head coach will hang in the rafters to forever honor his incredible legacy,” the Nuggets added. “The organization’s thoughts are with Doug’s wife Jane, his son David and all of his family and loved ones who are hurting in this moment.”