Frank Layden is a former basketball coach and executive who had a successful career in the sport. He began his career as a high school basketball coach in New York before moving on to coach at the college level. Layden then became an assistant coach for the Utah Jazz in the NBA, where he helped lead the team to the playoffs for the first time in franchise history.

In 1981, Layden was named head coach of the Jazz and quickly turned the struggling team into a playoff contender. He was known for his colorful personality and sense of humor, which endeared him to fans and players alike. Layden was also a shrewd talent evaluator, and he helped build the Jazz into a perennial playoff team by drafting and acquiring key players like John Stockton and Karl Malone.

Under Layden's leadership, the Jazz made the playoffs in each of his seven full seasons as head coach. They reached the Western Conference Finals in 1984 and 1986, but were unable to advance to the NBA Finals. Layden resigned as head coach in 1988, but remained with the team as an executive.

As an executive, Layden continued to have a major impact on the Jazz. He was responsible for drafting future All-Stars like Jeff Hornacek and Bryon Russell, and he helped negotiate the trade that brought point guard Jeff Malone to the team. Layden also played a key role in the development of the team's new arena, the Delta Center, which opened in 1991.

Layden's contributions to the Jazz were recognized in 1994, when he was inducted into the team's Hall of Fame. He was also honored by the NBA in 1995, when he received the league's J. Walter Kennedy Citizenship Award for his contributions to the community.

After leaving the Jazz, Layden remained involved in basketball as a commentator and analyst for various media outlets. He also served as the president of the NBA Coaches Association and was a member of the league's competition committee.

Overall, Frank Layden had a successful and influential career in basketball. He helped turn the Utah Jazz into a playoff contender and played a key role in the development of the team's new arena. Layden's colorful personality and sense of humor made him a beloved figure among fans and players, and his contributions to the sport were recognized with numerous awards and honors.

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