Longtime Houston Rockets coach, GM Carroll Dawson dies at 86

Carroll Dawson, who spent nearly three decades with the Houston Rockets as an assistant coach and general manager, has died at the age of 86, the team announced Monday.

No further details were given about his death.

“The Rockets family mourns the loss of their beloved former coach and general manager, Carroll Dawson, affectionately known as ‘CD,'” the team said.

He was an assistant coach with Houston from 1980 to ’97. The Rockets went 461-409 with six trips to the playoffs during his tenure as GM of the Rockets from 1996 to 2007.

“For nearly three decades, CD was a cornerstone of our organization, instrumental in shaping the careers of stars like Hakeem Olajuwon and Ralph Sampson. A proud Texas native, CD was the only coach to attend all four of Houston’s NBA Finals appearances, including back-to-back championship teams. As GM, he brought iconic talent to Houston, including Charles Barkley, Steve Francis, Yao Ming and Tracy McGrady, while also building the four-time WNBA champion Houston Comets,” the team said.

Dawson served as head coach at his alma mater Baylor from 1973 to 1977, where he posted a 44–51 record.