Utah Basketball Legend Dick Motta Reflects on Hall of Fame Career

Longtime coach says his focus was always on the work, not individual accolades.

Apr. 6, 2026 at 1:58pm

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Dick Motta, the legendary Utah basketball coach who led the Utah Stars to an ABA championship in 1971 and later coached in the NBA for over 20 years, is reflecting on his storied career as he is set to be inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame. Motta, now 88 years old, says the Hall of Fame honor was never his primary goal - he was simply focused on the work of coaching and developing players.

Why it matters

Motta is considered one of the most influential and innovative coaches in basketball history, known for his emphasis on defense, player development, and building winning cultures. His induction into the Hall of Fame is a recognition of his immense impact on the sport over several decades, both in Utah and across the NBA.

The details

Motta got his start coaching high school basketball in Utah in the 1950s before taking over the Utah Stars of the ABA in 1970. He led the Stars to the ABA championship in 1971, the first professional basketball title for the state of Utah. Motta then spent over 20 years coaching in the NBA with the Chicago Bulls, Washington Bullets, and Dallas Mavericks, earning Coach of the Year honors in 1978 and leading the Bullets to an NBA championship in 1978.

  • Motta began his coaching career in Utah high schools in the 1950s.
  • Motta coached the Utah Stars to an ABA championship in 1971.
  • Motta spent over 20 years coaching in the NBA from the 1970s through the 1990s.
  • Motta was named NBA Coach of the Year in 1978.
  • Motta led the Washington Bullets to an NBA championship in 1978.

The players

Dick Motta

An 88-year-old former basketball coach who is considered one of the most influential and innovative coaches in basketball history, known for his emphasis on defense, player development, and building winning cultures.

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What they’re saying

“The Hall of Fame was never my goal. My goal was to work hard and do the best I could as a coach.”

— Dick Motta, Former Basketball Coach

The takeaway

Motta's induction into the Basketball Hall of Fame is a testament to his lifelong dedication to the sport of basketball and his ability to build successful programs at both the professional and collegiate levels. His focus on fundamentals, defense, and player development left a lasting impact on the game.