SALT LAKE CITY (KUTV) — Patches on Utah Jazz jerseys will include the name of longtime Utah Jazz coach, general manager, and franchise legend Frank Layden during the 2025-26 NBA season.
Layden passed away on July 9, at the age of 93.
The team said the patch will be displayed on the left chest of all Jazz player jerseys as a tribute to his impact on the franchise and the State of Utah.
Coaches and team personnel will also wear a special “1” circle patch on their warm-ups throughout the season, signifying the No. 1 jersey retired by the Jazz for Layden in 1989.
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“Our history would not be complete without Frank, and his influence continues to resonate far beyond the court. Wearing this patch is more than a symbol – it is a way for our players and coaches to carry his legacy with them every time they take the floor,” said Jim Olson, president of the Utah Jazz.
Layden was named the Jazz head coach two years after the franchise moved from New Orleans to Salt Lake City. He coached from 1981 to 1988. During the 1988-89 season, he stepped away from coaching to focus on the front office as team president. He appointed his successor, Jazz legend Jerry Sloan, to take over as head coach. He was hired in 1979 as the general manager and maintained those duties while coaching.
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He was recognized as NBA Coach of the Year in 1984 after Utah went 45-37, marking the franchise’s first winning season. During the same season, he was also named the NBA Executive of the Year.
“Few people have had a greater influence on the Utah Jazz than Frank Layden,” Olson said. “His leadership, humor, and humanity shaped the trajectory of the Jazz franchise and left a lasting mark on Utah.”
Layden selected both John Stockton and Karl Malone in the NBA draft during his tenure.
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