Last Updated on January 7, 2025 by Mathew Diekhake

Jerry Sloan was a legendary basketball player and coach, best known for his tenure as head coach of the Utah Jazz. Here’s detailed information about him:

Personal Information:

  • Full Name: Gerald Eugene Sloan
  • Nationality: American
  • Date of Birth: March 28, 1942
  • Place of Birth: McLeansboro, Illinois, USA
  • Date of Death: May 22, 2020 (aged 78)
  • Height: 6 feet 5 inches (1.96 meters)
  • Weight: 195 pounds (88 kilograms)
  • Wingspan: 6 feet 6 inches
  • Shoe Size: Size 14 (US)
  • Jersey Number(s): 4
  • Position: Shooting guard / Small forward

Educational and Athletic Background:

  • High School: McLeansboro High School, McLeansboro, Illinois
  • College:
    • Evansville College (now the University of Evansville)

Professional Career:

  • NBA Draft:
    • Selected by the Baltimore Bullets in the 1st round (4th overall) of the 1965 NBA Draft.
  • Teams Played For:
    • Baltimore Bullets (1965–1966)
    • Chicago Bulls (1966–1976)
  • Championship Rings: None as a player (though highly respected for his defensive play).

Coaching Career:

  • Assistant Coach for the Chicago Bulls (1978–1979).
  • Head Coach for the Chicago Bulls (1979–1982).
  • Head Coach for the Utah Jazz (1988–2011).
    • Took the Jazz to two consecutive NBA Finals (1997, 1998).

Legacy and Achievements:

  • Player Achievements:
    • 2× NBA All-Star (1967, 1969)
    • 4× NBA All-Defensive First Team
    • First player to have his jersey number retired by the Chicago Bulls (#4).
  • Coaching Achievements:
    • 1,221 career wins as a head coach (4th most in NBA history at the time of his retirement).
    • Inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame (2009).

Personal Life:

  • Children: Sloan had three children.
  • Siblings: Jerry Sloan was the youngest of 10 children.

Impact on Basketball:

Jerry Sloan was celebrated for his toughness, work ethic, and dedication. As a player, he was known for his defensive prowess and grit. As a coach, he was renowned for his longevity, discipline, and ability to maximize his teams’ potential, particularly during his time with the Utah Jazz alongside Karl Malone and John Stockton. His contributions to the NBA left a lasting legacy.