National Basketball Association

Jazz franchise's first coach dies at 81

Published Aug. 18, 2011 1:00 a.m. ET

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Scotty Robertson, the first coach of the now Utah-based Jazz NBA franchise, died Thursday in Louisiana at age 81, The (New Orleans) Times-Picayune reported.

Robertson became the first coach of the New Orleans Jazz in 1974, before being fired 15 games later with a 1-14 win-loss record. The team later moved to Salt Lake City, where it is still based.

Robertson later coached the Chicago Bulls in 1978-79, before moving on to coach the Detroit Pistons between 1980 and 1983.

He also served as an assistant with the San Antonio Spurs and the Phoenix Suns, helping the latter reach the 1992-93 NBA Finals against Chicago.

Robertson's legacy, however, may be defined by the success he enjoyed as head coach of Lousiana Tech between 1964 and 1974, when he racked up a 161-86 win-loss record, the Times-Picayune reported.

He is survived by his wife of 61 years, Betty Lou Lancaster Robertson, three daughters and 10 grandchildren.