Longtime Nuggets coach Doug Moe died on Tuesday, the team announced. He was 87.
— Denver Nuggets (@nuggets) February 17, 2026
Moe spent more than five decades of his life tied to professional basketball as both a player and a coach. After a seven-year career spent playing in Italy and then in the ABA, Moe turned to coaching, first working as an assistant under his college teammate, Larry Brown.
After three years as Brown’s assistant in Denver, Moe got his first head coaching opportunity with the Spurs in 1976, where he would work until making his return to the Nuggets for the top job in 1980.
In Denver, Moe built his legacy, coaching for 10 seasons while compiling a 432–357 career record and reaching the postseason in nine straight years. Those 432 wins stood as a coaching record for the Nuggets until Mike Malone surpassed him two years ago.
After leaving the Nuggets in 1990, Moe would return to the franchise again in 2002, first as a coaching consultant and later as an assistant coach under George Karl. On Tuesday, Karl shared a message mourning the loss of his friend.
Doug Moe was my big brother. I am sad today. I will miss him.
— George Karl (@CoachKarl22) February 17, 2026
Love you forever Doug. ❤️🩹 pic.twitter.com/Emc8Iik8xD
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This article was originally published on www.si.com as Longtime Nuggets Coach Doug Moe Dead at 87.
