The Trail Blazers franchise lost part of their championship legacy today, as former Assistant Coach Jack McKinney passed away. McKinney served alongside Jack Ramsay, coaching Bill Walton and teammates to the 1977 NBA Championship. He later served as head coach for the Los Angeles Lakers, Indiana Pacers, and Kansas City Kings.
The Trail Blazers sent out the following press release commemorating McKinney’s accomplishments:
Jack McKinney, whose NBA coaching career included serving as a Portland Trail Blazers assistant coach, has passed away at age 83. He is best remembered locally as the lead assistant for Hall of Fame Head Coach Dr.