Basketball coach Tex Winter has died at the age of 96.
Winter is best known for being an innovator of the triangle offense, which the Chicago Bulls ran to perfection during Michael Jordan’s career while Winter was an assistant coach on the staff from 1985-1998.
“Tex Winter was a basketball legend and perhaps the finest fundamental teacher in the history of our game. 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,” Bulls GM John Paxson said in a statement.
Winter coached at Marquette, Kansas State, Washington, Northwestern, and Long Beach State in college. He served as a head coach for the Houston Rockets from 1971-1973 and as a longtime assistant on the Chicago Bulls and then Los Angeles Lakers under Phil Jackson.
Winter was inducted into the College Basketball Hall of Fame in 2010 and the Basketball Hall of Fame in 2011.
Take a look at some of the tributes he received:
So sad to hear the passing of one of the greatest offensive minds in basketball history my mentor and former coach Tex Winter. He never got the credit he deserved for those Bulls championship teams but every player on those teams knew how important he was! Rest In Peace Tex
— Stacey King (@Stacey21King) October 11, 2018
Wow! RIP to Coach Tex Winter. One of my greatest joys in coaching was running practice and having Coach Winter there watching. #Legend #TriangleOffense https://t.co/ZbpIpLI2EA
— Frank Martin (@FrankMartin_SC) October 11, 2018
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
RIP to Tex Winter! It was an honor to meet him in Manhattan, KS in 2010 at Bramlage. #Triangle #Ping
— Kim English (@Englishscope24) October 10, 2018
We are saddened by the passing of such a legendary coach in Tex Winter, who touched nearly every level of basketball. He left a tremendous mark of achievement at K-State. Our thoughts and prayers are with his wife, Nancy, their children and grandchildren. https://t.co/ypFqGipmZp
— Bruce Weber (@coachbruceweber) October 11, 2018
Just learned the sad news that Tex Winter has passed away. My condolences to his family and may he rest in peace.
— Patrick Ewing (@CoachEwing33) October 11, 2018
Tex was flat out hilarious. He entertained while teaching, and though his commentary of a player’s game was honest and to the point, often times negative, his smile and humor softened any blow. His offense is misunderstood by the masses but helped MJ,Shaq and Kobe finally win (2)
— Doug Gottlieb (@GottliebShow) October 11, 2018
Lastly. Tex Winter’s “Triple Post” which morphed into the Triangle, is a must read book for coaches. Long before it became en Vogue he taught perfect spacing. 15’-18’, every drill, even stretching. RIP to Tex Winter. MJ wouldn’t be The GOAT w/o you.
— Doug Gottlieb (@GottliebShow) October 11, 2018
