Don Delaney
Biographical details
Born(1936-01-03)January 3, 1936
South Euclid, Ohio, U.S.
DiedFebruary 16, 2011(2011-02-16) (aged 75)
Mayfield Heights, Ohio, U.S.
Alma materKent State University
Coaching career (HC unless noted)
1960–64North HS (OH)
1964–68Kirtland HS (OH)
1968–77Lakeland CC
1977–80Dyke College
1981Cleveland Cavaliers
1983–84Cleveland Cavaliers (Asst)
Administrative career (AD unless noted)
1980–83Cleveland Cavaliers (GM)
Head coaching record
Overall7–19 (NBA)

Don Delaney (January 3, 1936 – February 16, 2011)[1] was an American professional basketball coach, who served as head coach and general manager of the Cleveland Cavaliers in the early 1980s.

Early life

Delaney was born on January 3, 1936, in South Euclid, Ohio. He was a lifelong resident of Willoughby, Ohio. He earned bachelor's and master's degrees from Kent State University.[2]

Career

Delaney began his coaching career in 1960 at North High School in Eastlake, Ohio. In 1964 he moved to Kirtland High School in Kirtland, Ohio.[3] He then moved to the college ranks with Lakeland Community College. In 1974 he was named Greater Cleveland college coach of the year by the The Plain Dealer after leading Lakeland to its third consecutive 20-win season.[4] In 1977 he became head coach of Dyke College.[5] He also coached a professional softball team owned by Ted Stepien, who also owned the Cleveland Cavaliers.[2]

On June 4, 1980, he was named general manager of the Cleveland Cavaliers.[6] Although Delaney held the title of general manager, most personnel decisions were made by Stepien and player personnel director Bill Musselman.[2] On March 13, 1981, he took over as interim head coach after Stepien removed Musselman.[7] On March 29, 1981, owner Ted Stepien announced that Delaney would coach the team the following season.[8] On December 3, 1981, Stepien removed Delaney as head coach, but retained him as general manager.[9] Delaney compiled a 7–19 record over the 1980–81 and 1981–82 seasons.[10] He served as an assistant coach for the Cavaliers during the 1983-84 season.[11]

Later life

After leaving the Cavaliers, Delaney owned a bar in Mentor, Ohio. He suffered a stroke in 2001 and was in poor health until his death on February 16, 2011, at the age of 75.[2]

References

  1. ^ "Don "Deacon" Delaney's Obituary on News-Herald". News-Herald.
  2. ^ a b c d Peticca, Mike (February 18, 2011). "Don Delaney, former Cleveland Cavaliers coach and general manager, dies at age 75". Cleveland.com. Retrieved 17 April 2023.
  3. ^ Baker, Jack (March 15, 1968). "Mills, Beutel are co-players of the year". Willoughby News Herald.
  4. ^ "Across the Editor's Desk" (PDF). JUCO Review. May 1974. Retrieved 17 April 2023.
  5. ^ "Dyke College Cagers Look For Winning Season". Call and Post. September 30, 1978.
  6. ^ "Transactions". The Boston Globe. June 5, 1980.
  7. ^ Kinsley, Bob (March 14, 1981). "Musselman Out". The Boston Globe.
  8. ^ "Delaney to Be Coach". The New York Times. March 30, 1981.
  9. ^ "Cavs' Coach Dropped". The New York Times. December 4, 1981.
  10. ^ "Don Delaney". Basketball Reference. Sports Reference LLC. Retrieved 17 April 2023.
  11. ^ "Transactions". The New York Times. March 29, 1984.
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