Doug Moe, Pioneering Denver Nuggets Coach, Dies at 87

The colorful and innovative coach led high-scoring Nuggets teams in the 1980s.

Published on Feb. 24, 2026

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Doug Moe, a pioneering figure in the ABA and a beloved, often irreverent coach of the Denver Nuggets during the 1980s, died Tuesday at the age of 87. Moe's coaching record stood at 628-529 over 15 seasons, including stints with the San Antonio Spurs and Philadelphia 76ers. He was known for his innovative motion offense and entertaining, often colorful, presence on the sidelines.

Why it matters

Moe's time with the Nuggets marked a golden era for the franchise, despite never reaching the NBA Finals. His teams featured high-scoring duos like Alex English and Kiki VanDeWeghe, and the 1983 game between the Nuggets and Pistons, ending 186-184, remains the highest-scoring game in NBA history. Moe was a beloved figure in Denver, known for his self-deprecating humor and ability to connect with players and fans.

The details

Beyond the win-loss record, Moe will be remembered for his innovative motion offense and his entertaining, often colorful, presence on the sidelines. His Denver teams consistently led the league in scoring in the early 1980s, rarely relying on set plays. He was known for his unique way of addressing players, often referring to those he favored as 'stiffs' – or worse – using strong language to motivate them.

  • Doug Moe died on Tuesday, February 19, 2026.
  • Moe was named NBA Coach of the Year in 1988.

The players

Doug Moe

A pioneering figure in the ABA and a beloved, often irreverent coach of the Denver Nuggets during the 1980s.

Alex English

A high-scoring player who teamed up with Kiki VanDeWeghe on Moe's Nuggets teams in the early 1980s.

Kiki VanDeWeghe

A high-scoring player who teamed up with Alex English on Moe's Nuggets teams in the early 1980s.

Larry Brown

Moe's college teammate at North Carolina and later his assistant coach with the Carolina Cougars and Denver Nuggets.

Ron Zappolo

A longtime Denver TV personality and friend of Moe's.

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What they’re saying

“Doug Moe was a uniquely kind and important figure in Denver sports history.”

— Ron Zappolo, Longtime Denver TV personality

The takeaway

Moe's innovative coaching style, colorful personality, and ability to connect with players and fans left a lasting impact on the NBA and the Denver Nuggets franchise.