Jerry Sloan talks with the media in March 2017 as part of a celebration of the 20th anniversary of the Utah Jazz franchise. Russ Isabella-USA TODAY Sports

NBA community reacts to death of legendary Jazz coach Jerry Sloan

By Erin Walsh | Last updated 5/22/20

Legendary Hall of Fame coach Jerry Sloan has died at the age of 78 after a battle with Parkinson's disease and dementia, the Utah Jazz announced Friday.

Sloan coached the Jazz from 1988-2011 and was the Bulls' head coach from 1979-82. As a head coach, Sloan was 1,221-803 and made the NBA Finals twice — both with the Jazz. Those Jazz teams fell each time to Michael Jordan and the Bulls.

The NBA community shared its condolences with the Sloan family via social media, and that included tweets from some current and former players and media members.

Rest In Peace Jerry Sloan @utahjazz https://t.co/v3jpTPaktC
— Damian Lillard (@Dame_Lillard) May 22, 2020

Rest in peace to the great Jerry Sloan one of the greatest and toughest players in Chicago Bulls history. My condolences go out to the Sloan family and the entire @utahjazz community during this difficult time. Great player, great coach but an even better person. #RIPJS4
— Stacey King (@Stacey21King) May 22, 2020

Rip Jerry Sloan
— Rudy Gay (@RudyGay) May 22, 2020

The NBA Family lost an All-Time Great today. RIP to the Great Jerry Sloan.
— Kendrick Perkins (@KendrickPerkins) May 22, 2020

Deron Williams on Jerry Sloan's passing pic.twitter.com/36UmwC33O4
— Mike Mazzeo (@MazzNYC) May 22, 2020

Rest In Peace COACH! #JerrySloan #Toughness #RESPECT https://t.co/mEhHNLsWX8
— Jerry Stackhouse (@jerrystackhouse) May 22, 2020

Just talked to Bob Love about Jerry Sloan: "Jerry was the ultimate teammate. Nothing scared him. Nothing was too hard for him. Nothing was too tough for him. Jerry was always on top of his everything. It's a sad day. My condolences to his family."
— K.C. Johnson (@KCJHoop) May 22, 2020

I learned so much about basketball sitting at the bar with Jerry Sloan and his longtime assistant Phil Johnson. They were beyond patient with a young, dumb reporter. And Jerry never made excuses if his team lost-which wasn’t that often. RIP to a great, great coach. https://t.co/PaQLnMLn1j
— David Aldridge (@davidaldridgedc) May 22, 2020

sad to hear of the passing of #JerrySloan #ChicagoBulls fans like me in the late 60s/70s wanted to play like Sloan or Van Lier. Even as the Bulls HC he held camps for girls cuz his daughter played. I idolized him & learned defense from him — he never forgot even years later. RIP pic.twitter.com/hkEZY5xfJE
— Peggy Kusinski (@peggykusinski) May 22, 2020

Before coaching, Sloan also had a successful playing career as a member of the Bulls from 1966-76. He averaged 14 points, 7.4 rebounds and 2.5 assists per game during his career, was a two-time All-Star and made the All-Defensive team six times.

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