Doug Moe, former player and longtime NBA coach, dies at 87

Doug Moe, the longtime Denver Nuggets coach who pioneered fast-paced offense, has passed away at 87.

Moe coached the Nuggets for 10 seasons, winning Coach of the Year honors in 1988 after guiding Denver to a 54-28 record. The Nuggets finished with a winning record in seven of Moe’s nine full seasons as head coach.

pic.twitter.com/EJeDNDFdmZ

— Denver Nuggets (@nuggets) February 17, 2026

Moe also coached four seasons with the San Antonio Spurs from 1976 to 1980, finishing with a winning record in his first three seasons before being fired with the team at .500 in his final year in San Antonio.

Moe’s final head coaching season came with the Philadelphia 76ers in 1992-93. Less than two months after he was hired, the Sixers traded star forward Charles Barkley to the Phoenix Suns. Moe was fired 56 games into the season with the Sixers’ record at 19-37. He returned to coaching in 2003, when he began a five-year run as an assistant to former Nuggets coach George Karl.

Doug Moe was my big brother. I am sad today. I will miss him.

Love you forever Doug. ❤️‍🩹 pic.twitter.com/Emc8Iik8xD

— George Karl (@CoachKarl22) February 17, 2026

Under Moe’s guidance, the Nuggets led the NBA in scoring in five consecutive seasons.

Moe played five ABA seasons with the New Orleans Buccaneers, Oakland Oaks, Carolina Cougars and Virginia Squires, earning All-Star honors in his first three seasons.