Former coach Fred “Tex” Winter, who pioneered the triangle offense that propelled the Chicago Bulls and Los Angeles Lakers to multiple NBA championships, died Wednesday at the age of 96, the Bulls confirmed.
Winter began his coaching career as an assistant at Kansas State in 1947 before a two-year stint at Marquette, where he became the youngest coach in major college basketball at the age of 30.
He later returned to Kansas State, where he served as head coach for 15 years and led the Wildcats to two Final Four appearances in six NCAA tournament trips.
It is with great sadness to learn of the passing of legendary #KStateMBB head coach Fred “Tex” Winter. Our thoughts and prayers are with the Winter family. pic.twitter.com/DA0QUYkjRK
— K-State Athletics (@kstatesports) October 11, 2018
Winter made the leap to the NBA in 1971, serving as head coach of the Houston Rockets for two seasons. He was hired as an assistant coach with Chicago in 1985 by general manager Jerry Krause, teaming with head coach Phil Jackson to guide the Michael Jordan-led Bulls to NBA titles in 1991, 1992, 1993, 1996, 1997 and 1998.
“Tex Winter was a basketball legend and perhaps the finest fundamental teacher in the history of our game,” Bulls executive vice president of basketball operations John Paxson said in a statement. “He was an innovator who had high standards for how basketball should be played and approached everyday. Those of us who were lucky enough to play for him will always respect his devotion to the game of basketball. His contributions to the Bulls organization will always be remembered.”
In 1999, Winter followed Jackson to Los Angeles, where the triangle offense became the cornerstone of a Lakers team that won three championships from 2000 to 2002.
He was elected to the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame in 2011, his eighth time on the final ballot.
Source : ESPN
