Doug Moe, the architect of the Denver Nuggets' high-scoring offense who earned NBA Coach of the Year honors in 1988, died Feb. 17, 2026. He was 87.
Born in Brooklyn, Moe emerged as a standout player at the University of North Carolina, earning All-American honors twice. Despite playing only one year of high school basketball, he gained national attention for his skill on the court. He eventually shifted his focus to the sidelines, where he redefined professional scoring strategies.
During his tenure with the Denver Nuggets from 1980 to 1990, Moe led the team to the postseason for nine consecutive years. His 1987-88 squad set a league record by averaging 126.5 points per game and became the first team in history to score at least 100 points in every contest. As a basketball coach, he finished his time in Denver with a 432–357 record.
The National Basketball Coaches Association honored him with the Chuck Daly Lifetime Achievement Award in 2018. This recognition followed his induction into the Colorado Sports Hall of Fame and the NYC Basketball Hall of Fame. Moe remained a respected figure in the sport until the end of his life. His high-speed approach to the game changed how modern offenses operate in the professional ranks.