Former Denver Nuggets coach Doug Moe passes away at 87

Doug Moe, the larger-than-life coach who turned the Denver Nuggets into one of the NBA's most explosive offenses in the 1980s, has died. He was 87. Moe passed away on Tuesday, February 17, 2026, in San Antonio. One of his former players, Bill Hanzlik, said Moe died peacefully with his wife Jane at his side.

A defining offensive philosophy

Moe’s teams were synonymous with pace and scoring. Across a decade leading the Nuggets from 1980 to 1990, he embraced a free-flowing style that relied on ball movement, cuts and quick decision-making rather than drawn-up plays. Under Moe, Denver led the league in scoring six times and qualified for the playoffs nine consecutive seasons. That attack-oriented approach helped the franchise set offensive marks that still reverberate in how the modern game values transition and spacing.

He was as notable for his personality as for his strategy. Moe often appeared disheveled on the sideline and cultivated a rollicking, straight-talking persona that made him a beloved and memorable figure around the league. He coined and reclaimed colorful nicknames — including turning the tag "Stiff" into an affectionate shorthand — and used blunt honesty to motivate players and skewer opponents.

Career milestones and honors

Moe amassed 432 regular-season wins with Denver, a franchise record that stood until it was surpassed in November 2024. He finished his head coaching career with 628 victories, placing him among the top 20 winningest coaches in NBA history. The 1987–88 season brought perhaps his greatest individual recognition when he was named NBA Coach of the Year.

Highlights of his time in the league include a run to the Western Conference Finals in 1985 and two division titles. His coaching résumé stretched beyond Denver; he arrived in the Nuggets organization in the 1970s, spent time leading other teams, and later returned to Denver as an assistant in the 2000s. Honors reflecting his footprint on the sport include induction into the Colorado Sports Hall of Fame and recognition with a lifetime achievement award named for a celebrated coach, underscoring his long-term impact on basketball in the region and the league.

Tributes and legacy

Reaction from former players and colleagues emphasized Moe’s mentorship and the personal bonds he forged. Bill Hanzlik posted a personal message saying, "Doug Moe was my big brother. I am sad today. I will miss him. Love you forever Doug. " Teammates and contemporaries remembered Moe’s competitive fire, his loyalty, and the joy he took in the game.

Moe’s influence is visible in the way modern teams prioritize pace, spacing and ball movement. While he famously eschewed drawn plays, preferring his players to read defenses and make the right cuts, his results forced opponents to adapt. That competitive innovation helped define an era of basketball and left a blueprint younger coaches would revisit as the league evolved.

He will be remembered not only for the wins and accolades but for a coaching identity that married moxie and creativity. Survived by his wife Jane and by the many players and colleagues who counted him as a mentor, Moe’s passing marks the end of a distinct chapter in basketball history.

Updated 2: 27 PM ET.