Former Jazz head coach Jerry Sloan died on Friday due to complications from Parkinson’s disease and Lewy body dementia, the team announced. He was 78.
Sloan played 11 NBA seasons–including 10 with the Bulls–from 1965-76 before being named Chicago's head coach in 1979-80. Sloan spent three seasons with the Bulls, and in 1988-89, he kicked off a legendary run with the Jazz.
Utah reached the playoffs 19 times with Sloan in 23 seasons, including a run of 15 straight postseason appearances from 1988 to 2003. Sloan and the Jazz reached the Finals in 1997 and 1998 before losing to Michael Jordan and the Bulls.