Mike Schuler obit

Former NBA Coach of the Year Mike Schuler Dies at 81

 

He was not on the list.

Michael “Coach” Harold Schuler born on September 22, 1940, to parents Dorothy and Boyd Schuler of Portsmouth, Ohio, left us on June 28th, 2022. He passed peacefully to reunite with his beloved wife of 57 years, Gloria “Sweet G” Sissea Schuler, who preceded him in death in 2016. Married on July 20th, 1963, they intimately constructed a life built around their baby daughters, numerous relocations, new faces, new places, wins, losses, and a calendar that rotated around planet Basketball. Early on, Coach recognized that he was not a ‘naturally gifted athlete.’ He stood 6ft tall and weighed a buck-sixty soaking wet. Through relentless effort, however, Coach earned a D1 scholarship to Ohio University in 1959. As a guard, he was on two MAC Championship teams and played in two NCAA tournaments. It was during these years that a blue eyed beauty batted her lashes, cheering him from the sidelines. His heart melted instantly! Upon graduation in 1962, he understood that his talents did not belong on the court. His future was in coaching, and coach he did, working alongside some of the greats: Jim Snyder, Bobby Knight, Terry Holland, Larry Brown and Don Nelson. Coach had the privilege to mentor some outstanding young men into elite collegiate players and consummate professionals: Mike Krzyzewski, Barry Parkhill, Wally Walker, Ricky Pierce, and Kenny Austin. He coached pro superstars like Darryl Dawkins, Terry Cummings, Clyde Drexler, Terry Porter, Kiki VanDeWeghe, Kevin Garnett, and Sidney Moncrief to highlight just a few. In 1987, while at the helm of the Portland Trailblazers, Coach graciously accepted the Red Auerbach Trophy, designating him “Coach of the Year.” He is one of only five active or retired coaches to win this recognition for their inaugural season. This and his 2014 induction into the Ohio Athletics Hall of Fame as the recipient of the Glenn C. Randall Lifetime Achievement Award, were two of his proudest career achievements. Coach was regimented, direct, punctual, and demanding of himself and of others best efforts. He was also charismatic, stylish, fun to be around, and a huge Elvis fan. During the off seasons, and eventual retirement, Coach enjoyed family vacations, friends, golf, tennis, going to movies and spending his Sunday mornings watching Billy Graham. Coach, better known as “Poppop” to his family, enjoyed nothing more than watching his grandchildren do their things. He is survived by his daughter Kimberly S. Foxx, husband Bryan Foxx, their children, Weston Michael Foxx and Madison Morgan Foxx from Elkhorn, Nebraska. Also, daughter Kristin Schuler Baker, husband Rick Baker, their children Jaxson Schuler Baker, and Jordan Brooke Baker from Phoenix, Arizona. A private family service will be held to inter Coach and Sweet G’s ashes together. A celebration of life reception will be held at a later date. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made on behalf of Mike Schuler to the Jim Snyder Coaching Endowment

 

Career information

High school            Portsmouth (Portsmouth, Ohio)

College Ohio (1959–1962)

Coaching career   1965–2005

Career history

As coach:

1965–1966            Army (assistant)

1966–1969            Ohio (assistant)

1969–1972            VMI

1972–1977            Virginia (assistant)

1977–1981            Rice

1981–1983            New Jersey Nets (assistant)

1983–1986            Milwaukee Bucks (assistant)

1986–1989            Portland Trail Blazers

1989–1990            Golden State Warriors (assistant)

1990–1992            Los Angeles Clippers

1992–1994            Sacramento Kings (assistant)

1994–1996            Minnesota Timberwolves (assistant)

2003–2005            Milwaukee Bucks (assistant)