Incredibly sad news out of Florida this morning, as legendary coach Chuck Daly has died at age 78. Two months ago, word came that Daly, who won two championships with the Pistons and an Olympic gold medal with the original Dream Team before entering the Hall of Fame, was suffering from late-stage pancreatic cancer.To show solidarity for Daly, beloved in the NBA coaching fraternity, coaches have been wearing "CD" pins throughout the playoffs. The coaches association also created the Chuck Daly Lifetime Achievement Award in his honor. As cutthroat as the NBA can be -- especially for coaches, where there are only 30 openings and about 100 men who think they deserve one -- it's amazing how universally beloved and respected Daly has become.
Deaths in Sports
Chuck Daly, May 9: Daly, who led the United States to basketball gold in 1992 and the Pistons to two world titles, passes away at 78. Click through to see recent deaths in the world of sports.
Duane Burleson, AP
Dom DiMaggio, May 8: DiMaggio, the seven-time All-Star and younger brother of Hall of Famer Joe, dies at the age of 92.
AP
Kevin Grubb, May 6: The former driver, who was suspended indefinitely by NASCAR after refusing to take a drug test in 2006, was 31.
Todd Warshaw, Getty Images
Benjamin Flores, May 5: The boxer died after he was hospitalized from injuries suffered during his NABF title fight days earlier.
Paul J. Richards, AFP / Getty Images
Jack Kemp, May 2: The seven-time AFL All-Star and 1996 Republican vice presidential candidate led the Buffalo Bills to two straight league championships in the 1960s.
Al Messerschmidt, Getty Images
Hal Perry, April 30: The former Dons starter, who won two NCAA titles at San Francisco in the 1950s, died after a long illness.
University of San Francisco
Ben Enoch, April 30: The promising golfer died after his car hit a trailer on the way to a tournament.
Andrew Redington, Getty Images
Jack "Lucky" Lohrke, April 29: The former Giants and Phillies infielder died two days after having a stroke.
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Glen Gondrezick, April 27: The former UNLV star died from complications from a heart transplant last year.
AP
Frank Gansz, April 27: The former Chiefs coach died of complications from a knee replacement surgery.
George Gojkovich, Getty Images
Comments (Page 1 of 3)
A class act. He'll be missed.
Chuck could flat coach the game of basketball. RIP.
Hated the Pistons being a Celtics fan , but Chuck Daly was a class act and a good coach .RIP
I agree, Charles. I'm a fan of the Celtics, too, and especially couldn't stand Lambere.but Like you said, Mr. Daly was a great coach and a class act.
Rest in peace, Mr. Daly. You're in charge of the basketball court upstairs now.
a great coach, great for the game of baketball and a good person he will be missed. the basketball community has lost a gem. R.I.P. coach
R.I.P. Chuck. A true players' coach and he is missed.
The original'bad boy'. RIP Chuck.
AS a fellow "Philly area" basketball coach we are so proud of Coach Daly's achievements. RIP
As a Chicago Bulls fan when the Piston were beating the brakes off us, it was Chuck pulling the strings. You will be missed. RIP
Every now and then someone walks into the world of basketball and leaves giant footprints on our heart. Thanks Mr. Daly for being one of those very special people!
class act, wish there were more like him
godspeed, Chuck
Nice Guy, bad hair piece.
I'll never forgot my Piston coach and when he won 2 consecutive NBA titles-it is on my t-SHIRT as The Daly Double
a wonderful coach and a great guy...he will be missed, especially here in detroit...r.i.p. chuck
Sad news. So long, coach.
I was a huge Detroit Pistions fan in the late 80's. Coach Daly was a class act, especially having to deal with such characters as Bill Lambeer. He knew basketball, knew defense.
RIP Coach Daly. The game has lost a great one.
I was saddened to hear that Chuck Daly passed away from pancreatic cancer. I always liked watching his teams play basketball. He never seemed full of himself, which is such a rarity in sports these days. I'll miss him. My condolences to his family on their loss. RIP Coach!
RIP Coach Daly. The sport, fans and players will miss you greatly.
I have fond memories of Chuck Daly from back in the early '70s, when he was head coach when I went to U of Penn; Rollie Massimino was his assistant; we didn't realize what great coaches they were at the time.
RIP COACH !