Richie Adubato obit

Former Magic coach, radio analyst Richie Adubato dies at 87

 

He was not on the list.

Former Magic coach and radio analyst Richie Adubato died Thursday, his family shared on social media Friday.

He was 87.

“The DeVos family and the Orlando Magic are saddened to learn of the passing of Richie Adubato,” the team said in a statement.

Adubato served as assistant coach with the Magic from 1994-97, interim head coach in 1997 and radio analyst from 2005-20.

“Richie’s legacy lives on in every story and lesson he shared — a coach who turned the gym into a place of connection and joy, impacting countless lives with warmth, humor, and unforgettable spirit,” the Magic said. “Our thoughts and prayers are with his wife, Carol, and the entire Adubato family.”

A New Jersey native, Adubato spent time coaching with the Pistons, Knicks, Mavericks, Cavaliers and Magic across two decades in the NBA.

An interim head coach in Detroit during the 1979-80 season, he later served as the full-time head coach in Dallas from ’89-93. Following his NBA tenure, he coached in the WNBA, guiding the New York Liberty (1999-2004) and Washington Mystics (2005-07).

Before the NBA, he spent 18 years as a high school and college coach in New Jersey. A graduate of William Paterson with a bachelor’s degree in education in 1960 and a master’s degree in social science in 1970, Adubato was captain of both the basketball and baseball teams.

“Let’s remember him as the funny, smart, energetic, genuinely warm human being he always was,” Adubato’s daughter, Beth, wrote on social media.

On X, ESPN’s iconic basketball broadcaster Dick Vitale posted: “Richie was one of our “JERSEY BOYS “ along with @MikeFratello Hubie Brown & yours truly who all chased dreams in coaching .Richie coached on every level – HS -College- @NBA .He’ll be missed but never forgotten .May Richie RIP!”

Career information

High school     East Orange

(East Orange, New Jersey)

College            William Paterson

Coaching career          1969–2007

Career history

Coaching

1969–1972      Upsala College (assistant)

1972–1978      Upsala College

1978–1979      Detroit Pistons (assistant)

1979–1980      Detroit Pistons (interim)

1982–1986      New York Knicks (assistant)

1986–1989      Dallas Mavericks (assistant)

1989–1993      Dallas Mavericks

1993–1994      Cleveland Cavaliers (assistant)

1994–1997      Orlando Magic (assistant)

1997    Orlando Magic (interim)

1999–2004      New York Liberty

2005–2007      Washington Mystics

Career coaching record

NBA   127–240 (.346)

WNBA            134–116 (.536)