Frank Layden

There was nothing about Frank Layden you could not love. A Brooklyn transplant who made Utah his lifetime home. If you met Frank you were immediately his friend. He remembered my name among thousands of admirers.
Frank's devotion to Barbara was an unrequited romance. They were joined at the hip.
Nobody would suspect the Laydens of being art affecionados. They were as at ease at the opera, symphony or theater as seeing a slam dunk from the Utah Jazz.
Frank's humor and infectious smile made everybody's day better. One of the greatest speakers I have ever heard.
The world was a better place with Frank Layden. Thank you so much Barbara for sharing him with us. I know he is making God smile.

My thoughts and prayers are with the Layden Family. First had the good fortune of meeting Frank at Camp Robin Hood in Center Ossipee, NH at Wally Cases' Basketball Camp. Was later invited and honored to join Frank at Niagara University on the staff of his camp. It was always a great week. Frank was a great host. His great stories always made the trip back to Massachusetts much shorter. Thanks Frank.

Yours in BASKETBALL, Bill Carroll

I am heartbroken and saddened by the news of Frank Layden's passing. He was a remarkable individual, and I feel privileged to have called him a friend. My prayers are with Barbara and his family. May he rest in peace.

I only knew Frank over the phone as I would update him on my brother-in-law's health - Clem Worosz from Dunkirk NY. They met at Niagara University and became lifelong friends. Frank's loyalty meant the world to Clem, and Frank would call the nursing home to reminisce and make Clem laugh. Clem kept a bobble-head of Frank on his hospital windowsill. I could tell from speaking with Frank that he was "a real live-wire". He was indeed a legend in Western New York, and he touched so many lives here. I am truly saddened by his passing, and I'm a better person for having known him.

Condolences to the Layden family. I was a lowly teen usher at the old Salt Palace and Mr. Layden treated us all with dignity and familiarity in each encounter. A total class act and lovely human. The current world needs way more Frank Laydens.

One of the best people I have ever met. May he rest in peace

Barbara, Scott, Mike, Katie and the Layden family, thank you so much for sharing Frank with us and the world. Such a wonderful human being. There will never be another like him. My love and prayers to you all -- I know how much I miss him and can't imagine what your loss is like.

Barbara, Scott, Michael, Katie, my sincere condolences on the loss of Frank. He was quite a man larger than life. Everybody loved him and I’ll always remember him with fondness in my heart for the basketball camps at Niagara that he taught to The many times at our house that you visited. You are all in my thoughts and prayers.

Our deepest condolences to Scott and the family. He was a very special person and a very friendly man. May he Rest in Peace.

Frank Layden made a difference. For a young kid that loved the Utah Stars and has thoroughly enjoyed the Utah Jazz, a HUGE THANK YOU to the Layden family.
I was on an airplane with over 100 high school students and Frank talked with the students and let them take pictures. My biggest regret is not getting a photo with Coach Layden.
Coach also would hold a dinner, a meet and greet and then the Jazz hosted high school basketball coaches to a preseason game. I have quoted Frank often over the years with coaches and young athletes, "You are going to win games you should lose and you are going to lose games you should have won . . . "
I think the world of Frank Layden. Thanks for coming to Utah!!

Frank had all those wonderful qualities you hope to see in a person. He will be sadly missed, but never frogotten.

I will miss you frank layden.

Frank was a very sweet man and I loved hearing all of his stories. I worked at the Delta Center with him. He will be missed by so many. God Bless.

I had the honor to call Frank my friend and mentor for almost forty years. He was one of the kindest and brightest people that I ever had the privilege to meet. One of the greatest basketball minds ever to walk on the hardwood. A great sense of humor and me of the favorite things about our relationship was our love for baseball. Our community lost a true treasure. Go with God my friend

Truly a one of a kind, once in a generation human being. Kind to all, approachable and down to earth. He will be missed. Condolences to his family, friends and the world that loved him.

My heart is sad today at the passing of our friend and a larger-than-life, but downright great individual.
He was a great guy and
a great friend. I'm so grateful to have known him. The world has lost an amazing, rare, genuine, good man.

Coach Layden was fun to watch. May God bless your family.

Frank Layden is most well known as a coach for the Utah Jazz and sports fan and supporter. Most will not know that he was an Army Veteran and served as an officer in the 50s. Frank was a strong supporter and friend to our Veterans. Countless times he helped us. He helped a struggling hero flight(forerunner to today Honor Flight) when they ran out of money . He spoke to a luncheon honoring POWs and spoke of the moral imperative they and wounded and disabled Veterans have. When the Utah American Legion submitted a bid to host the National Convention he was there at the Salt Palace meeting and greeting the bid committee. He spoke at a conference for mental health professions who assist Veterans. He made a video supporting The American Legion Be The One program to help prevent Veterans suicides. His last grand gesture was to persuade The Utah Jazz to allow The American Legion to man tables at a Jazz game providing materials and raising awareness about Veterans suicide . Few have done more for our Veterans. It was such an honor to know this giant of a man and champion of not only sports but our Veteran. My most sincere condolences to Ms Barbara, Scott. Mike & Katie
Terry Schow
Retired Director Utah Department of Veterans Affairs
National Executive Committee
The American Legion Utah

Growing up and watching the Little Three BB games on television, the coaches were so animated and real. SBU was a great rival to Niagara especially during the "Layden Era". A true one of a kind class act and Coach Layden's legacy of doing for others will continue. God Bless the Layden family during these difficult days. Sincerely, Kevin Hickey and family.

Please accept our sincere condolences for your loss. Our thoughts are with you during this difficult time. As an old family friend, Frank will always be remembered with warmth, laughter and respect. Our time together was truly a gift.

I had the rare and special honor of spending a day with Frank Layden when I hosted a school assembly and had the opportunity to interview him. One of his great-great nephews was in my class and on the basketball team I coached, which made the connection all the more meaningful.

In that short time, Frank left an indelible impression on me. His presence was magnetic, overflowing with warmth, humor, wisdom, and genuine kindness. He was the embodiment of what it means to lead with heart.

As someone who grew up watching the Jazz during their golden years, Frank’s voice and character are woven into the memories of my childhood. He was more than a coach… he was a pioneer, a pillar of the community, and a symbol of integrity and joy.

His legacy isn’t just in wins or records, but in the way he made people feel… seen, valued, and uplifted. I am grateful for his influence: on my life, my students, and the larger world of sports and spirit. His legacy will echo for generations, as it already has in mine.

Rest well, Coach Layden. And thank you.

He was the best of all of us and the entire Hill family will miss him terribly. Godspeed Frank…until we meet again!

Frank was a very special man as everyone who knew him knows. We became friends 40 years ago & our respect and admiration never waivered. Frank treated us like family: He was our mentor & friend. He was compassionate & generous & had a heart of gold. He will never be forgotten and sorely missed.

Several years ago, I wrote a letter to Frank Layden asking how he had lost weight. I didn’t have his direct contact, so I sent it to a general address for the Utah Jazz, not knowing if it would ever reach him. But Frank—being Frank—didn’t just let it sit on a desk. Instead, he looked up my last name in the phone book and started calling every Woodmansee he could find until he reached my dad. Then my dad called me and said, “Why does Frank Layden want to talk to you?”
Frank invited me up to his condo in Salt Lake City. What I thought would be a short conversation turned into six of the easiest, most encouraging hours I’ve ever spent with someone. We talked about life, basketball, and of course, weight loss. He didn’t just give me tips—he coached me, the same way he coached his players. He held me accountable, pushed me with humor and heart, and made me believe I could do it.
For years after, we kept in touch. Every time we ran into each other at a baseball game, he always made time to say hello, to check in, to give me that warm, wise grin that only Frank Layden could.
Frank, you were more than a legendary coach—you were a mentor, a motivator, and a true friend. I will miss you deeply, but I will always carry your voice in my head and your example in my heart.
Thank you for answering my letter—and for changing my life.

One of the best people in this world 🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏RIP🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰

Barbara and family, we were so sorry to hear of Franks passing. He was so kind to us and we will remember him for his generosity and humility, the respectful treatment to everyone he met, his love of baseball and basketball
, and his love and respect for
Barbara and his family. Frank was larger than life but he was a friend whom you could count on and was always so interested in us and our lives. We will miss him.
With love, Bruce and Bonnie Barker

I got to meet and talk with him at a Knights of Columbus meeting he attended. A great coach and Christian.

I got to meet and talk with him at a Knights of Columbus meeting he attended. A great coach and Christian.

We send our heartfelt condolences for your loss & will miss Frank with our cherished memories of an exceptional man with integrity .
Lance & Sylvia Sylvia D’Ambrosio

There are not enough words to describe this man, never met him in person, but saw him all over, the bee's games, the Delta Center, the salt palace, and the time charro ran across the floor and laid one on Frank!
The words I feel are appropriate are.......thank you !

I will never forget the honor of meeting you and you coming to my office , American Acupressure ! The free seats you gave us at courtside and letting my youngest son hi- fi the players ! You were a great person and so gracious to my family and my clients . I like that you are mentioning the MS Society . I have MS . I think you knew it .What a sadly missed person it will be in Utah , I was honored to know you and be a part of all your health accomplishments .
Never forget , those were the best days of Jazz and you had a great sense of humor. Time is one thing that we cannot buy. We must always keep those closest to us in mind spirit.
May you Rest in Peace and Peace be with you always . We shall see each other again . Never another one like you . My heart broke to hear this ! My love travels with you as many others do. Susan Malmrose ,

My deepest sympathy and condolences go out to the Layden family. My father, Clem Worosz, met Coach Frank Layden at Niagara University where my Dad played basketball. Frank Layden was not only an inspiration, but a true life long friend to my father. When my father still lived at home, I would recall many a conversation between the two of them, where they would catch up on the latest events and joke and reminisce. Even though I did not have the opportunity to personally meet Frank Layden during my lifetime, I know that he meant the world to my Dad and still does and Frank was a very special person. Go Purple Eagles! (Isaiah 40:31)

I was a young faculty member at Niagara University
in the late 1960’s when Frank
Layden was hired as head
basketball coach.

It was a good era for the NU
Purple Eagles. With
All-American Calvin Murphy,
they were victorious and played in both the NIT and
NCAA Tournaments.

In Niagara Falls, I lived for
a while across the street
from the Laydens. In the
coming years, I saw Frank
outside MSG while I
was living in NYC. Also
outside the Denver Nuggets’
arena when he moved
on to the NBA.

A pleasant and entertaining
man.

My heartfelt condolences to Barbara and the family. Frank was always such a caring and thoughtful person who always remembered the NAACP. Frank, a Life Member, I was able to share his name and it was included in the Memorial Service at the July 2025 NAACP National Convention.

Frank was one very close to me and my family, he taught me some things I would never know he always gave me life advice on things I asked him on he was a true gem to anyone he came across I am saddened of his passing he will always be remembered as “Coach” Frank till we meet again old friend you were a true friend and I will keep your memory living LETS GO DODGERS!