Doug Moe, Legendary Denver Nuggets Coach, Dies at 87

The rumpled, irreverent coach led the high-scoring Nuggets in the 1980s.

Feb. 19, 2026 at 5:31pm

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Doug Moe, the iconic former head coach of the Denver Nuggets, passed away on Tuesday at the age of 87 after a long battle with cancer. Moe was known for his innovative, up-tempo offense and his colorful, larger-than-life personality on the sidelines during his decade-long tenure with the Nuggets in the 1980s.

Why it matters

Moe was a pivotal figure in Denver sports history, leading the Nuggets to one of their most successful eras and cementing his legacy as one of the most entertaining and influential coaches in NBA history. His passing marks the end of an era for the Nuggets franchise and the city of Denver.

The details

Moe's Nuggets teams led the league in scoring for five straight seasons in the early 1980s, with a fast-paced, motion offense that rarely featured set plays. He was known for his rumpled appearance, foul-mouthed tirades, and close relationships with his players, who he would often berate during games but then socialize with after. Moe's Nuggets teams never won an NBA title, but they came close in 1985 before falling to the Lakers in the Western Conference Finals.

  • Moe died on Tuesday, February 17, 2026 after a long battle with cancer.
  • Moe coached the Nuggets for 10 seasons from 1980 to 1990.

The players

Doug Moe

The legendary former head coach of the Denver Nuggets, known for his innovative offense, colorful personality, and close relationships with his players.

Alex English

A star player for Moe's Nuggets teams, who finished 1-2 in scoring in the 1982-83 season, a feat no teammates have accomplished since.

Kiki VanDeWeghe

Another star player for Moe's Nuggets, who was one of the coach's favorite targets for his foul-mouthed tirades during games.

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What they’re saying

“Sometimes I think I have a Jekyll-and-Hyde personality. I clown around a lot before and after a game, but once a game starts, my emotions just take over.”

— Doug Moe (The New York Times)

“I don't know if there's ever been a more important sports figure in Denver, not only because of how successful he was, but how colorful he was and how kind he was. There are a lot of people walking around today who feel like they were Doug's best friend.”

— Ron Zappolo, Longtime Denver TV personality and friend of Moe (The Associated Press)

What’s next

The Nuggets organization is expected to hold a memorial service to celebrate Moe's life and legacy in the coming weeks.

The takeaway

Doug Moe's passing marks the end of an era for the Denver Nuggets and the city of Denver. As one of the most iconic and influential figures in the franchise's history, Moe's innovative coaching, larger-than-life personality, and close relationships with his players left an indelible mark on the NBA and the Denver sports landscape.