Jazz to honor Frank Layden with uniform patch

Field Level Media|published: Thu 25th September, 16:33 2025

Unknown date 1988; Los Angeles, CA, USA: FILE PHOTO; Utah Jazz head coach Frank Layden on the sideline against the Los Angeles Lakers at the Great Western Forum. Mandatory Credit: MPS-Imagn Images

The Utah Jazz will honor former head coach and general manager Frank Layden with a patch on their uniforms during the 2025-26 season.

Layden passed away in June at the age of 93.

The simple black bar with white lettering says "FRANK" and will sit on the left side of the chest.

Layden, who also served as team president, was 277-294 in eight seasons as the Jazz's head coach from 1981-89. He was named NBA Coach of the Year in the 1983-84 season when Utah went 45-37 and won the Midwest Division title.

The Jazz advanced as far as the Western Conference semifinals three times under Layden, including the 1987-88 season. He resigned the following season and replaced by Jerry Sloan.

Layden first served as general manager of the then-New Orleans Jazz in 1979 before adding head coaching duties in 1981. He was also named NBA Executive of the Year after the 1983-93 season.

Layden also had a short stint as head coach of the WNBA's Utah Starzz for 15 games over the 1998 and 1999 seasons.

--Field Level Media

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