Rise to Success: Career Highlights of Doug Moe

From career breakthroughs to professional milestones, explore how Doug Moe made an impact.

Doug Moe is a former American professional basketball player and coach, best known for his tenure as head coach of the Denver Nuggets in the NBA. He was recognized for his coaching achievements, receiving the NBA Coach of the Year award in 1988. His career highlights his contributions to the sport of basketball both on the court and from the sidelines.

Sections (3)

Full Timeline Career & Achievements Success & Recognition

1960: Selected in the NBA draft

In 1960, Doug Moe was selected in the NBA draft by the Detroit Pistons.

1961: Selected by Chicago Packers

In 1961, Doug Moe was selected in the NBA draft by the Chicago Packers.

1965: Professional Career in Italy

In 1965, Doug Moe began his professional basketball career in Italy's Lega Basket Serie A with Pallacanestro Petrarca Padova.

1967: Joins the New Orleans Buccaneers

In 1967, Doug Moe joined the newly formed American Basketball Association (ABA) with the New Orleans Buccaneers for $5,000 alongside former Tar Heel and roommate Larry Brown. The team reached the ABA Finals and both Moe and Brown were named ABA All-Stars. Moe averaged 24.2 points, 10.2 rebounds, and 2.6 assists in 78 games and finished second in the ABA MVP race.

1969: Plays for Carolina Cougars

From 1969, Doug Moe played for the Carolina Cougars.

1970: Plays for Virginia Squires

From 1970, Doug Moe played for the Virginia Squires.

1972: Retirement from Playing

By 1972, due to bad knees, Doug Moe elected to retire from professional basketball after the end of the season at the age of 33.

1972: Assistant Coach for Carolina Cougars

In 1972, Doug Moe began his coaching career with the Carolina Cougars in the ABA as an assistant coach to his UNC teammate Larry Brown.

1972: Plays for Virginia Squires

In 1972, Doug Moe played for the Virginia Squires and garnered ABA All-Star honors. It was in an injury-shortened five-year professional playing career.

1974: Coaching the Denver Nuggets

From 1974, Doug Moe followed Larry Brown to Denver, where they coached the Nuggets.

1974: Assistant Coach for Carolina Cougars

In 1974, Doug Moe was an assistant coach for the Carolina Cougars in the ABA alongside his UNC teammate Larry Brown.

June 30, 1976: Named Head Coach of San Antonio Spurs

On June 30, 1976, Doug Moe was named head coach of the San Antonio Spurs, replacing Bob Bass. The Spurs won 44 games but lost in the first round of the playoffs. Moe was described as a "player's coach".

1976: Coaching the Denver Nuggets

In 1976, Doug Moe and Larry Brown coached the Nuggets to the ABA Finals, where they lost to the New York Nets in six games. From 1974-1976, the Nuggets had a 125-43 record.

1979: Fired by Spurs

In 1979, Doug Moe was fired by team owner Angelo Drossos with sixteen games to go in the 1979-80 season. He was replaced by Bob Bass.

1979: Spurs Division Champions

In 1979, Doug Moe's Spurs repeated as division champions and beat the Philadelphia 76ers in the semifinals for their first ever playoff series win since moving to San Antonio. They faced the Bullets in the Conference Finals and took three of the first four games but lost the decisive seventh game 107-105 to the eventual world champion.

1980: Returns to Denver Nuggets

In 1980, Doug Moe returned to Denver to take over the head coaching position from Donnie Walsh.

1984: Midwest Division Title

In 1984, Doug Moe guided the Nuggets to a Midwest Division title.

1985: Western Conference Finals

In 1985, Doug Moe led the Denver Nuggets to the Western Conference Finals.

1987: Midwest Division Title and Franchise Record

In 1987, Doug Moe guided the Nuggets to a Midwest Division title and a franchise-record 54 wins. Also, the Nuggets high-octane offense led the league in scoring in six of his 10 seasons in Denver.

1988: NBA Coach of the Year

In 1988, Doug Moe was named the NBA Coach of the Year while serving as head coach for the Denver Nuggets.

September 6, 1990: Dismissal from the Nuggets

On September 6, 1990, Doug Moe announced his dismissal from the Denver Nuggets due to a front-office restructure. He had three years remaining on his contract. He is honored by the Nuggets with a banner that reads "432" for his number of wins as a Nuggets' head coach.