Doug Moe, Colorful Denver Nuggets Coach, Dies at 87

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

Published on Feb. 20, 2026

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Doug Moe, a legendary NBA coach known for his innovative, high-scoring offenses and colorful sideline antics with the Denver Nuggets in the 1980s, has died at the age of 87 after a long battle with cancer. Moe spent 10 seasons as the Nuggets' head coach, leading the team to one of the most successful and exciting eras in franchise history.

Why it matters

Moe was a larger-than-life figure in Denver sports history, leaving an indelible mark on the Nuggets franchise and the NBA with his unorthodox coaching style and personality. His up-tempo, free-flowing offense and entertaining sideline presence made the Nuggets must-see TV in the 1980s, even as they fell short of an NBA championship.

The details

Moe's Nuggets teams led the league in scoring for five straight seasons in the early 1980s, with a motion offense that rarely ran set plays. He was known for his colorful language and antics on the sidelines, often berating referees and his own players. Despite never winning a title, Moe's Nuggets were one of the most exciting teams of the era, led by the high-scoring duo of Alex English and Kiki VanDeWeghe.

  • Moe coached the Nuggets for 10 seasons from 1980 to 1990.
  • He was named NBA Coach of the Year in 1988.

The players

Doug Moe

A legendary NBA coach who spent 10 seasons as the head coach of the Denver Nuggets, leading the team to one of its most successful and exciting eras in the 1980s.

Alex English

A star player for Moe's Nuggets teams, finishing first and second in the NBA scoring title race in the 1982-83 season.

Kiki VanDeWeghe

Another star player for Moe's Nuggets, who finished second in the NBA scoring title race in the 1982-83 season alongside teammate Alex English.

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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's

The takeaway

Doug Moe's legacy as the Nuggets' colorful and innovative coach in the 1980s cemented his place as one of the most iconic figures in Denver sports history. His up-tempo, high-scoring teams and larger-than-life personality made the Nuggets must-see TV, even as they fell short of an NBA championship.