Frank Layden, the sharp-witted former coach who led the Utah Jazz to the playoffs for the first time, has died. He was 93.

Frank Layden, who coached the Utah Jazz with a colorful presence in the 1980s and played a pivotal role in building the team’s success in the 1990s, died at 93, the Jazz announced on Wednesday. The cause of death was not announced.

While Layden is best known for his work with the Jazz at the NBA level, he first coached his alma mater, Niagara University, for eight seasons from 1968 to 1976. He led the Purple Eagles to their first-ever NCAA men's tournament in 1970 before moving to the NBA as an assistant coach for the Atlanta Hawks.