Richie Adubato, a former Dallas Mavericks, Orlando Magic and New York Liberty basketball coach, has died, his household stated. He was 87.
Adubato died Thursday, his household posted on social media on Friday.
“Let’s bear in mind him because the humorous, good, energetic, genuinely heat human being he all the time was,” Adubato’s daughter, Beth, wrote on social media.
Whereas teaching future Corridor of Fame gamers Teresa Weatherspoon and Becky Hammon, Adubato took the Liberty to the WNBA Finals 3 times in his six seasons (1999-2004). He nonetheless holds the franchise file for video games coached with 178 and is second for profession wins (100) with the Liberty behind Sandy Brondello.
“With deep gratitude we bear in mind the legacy of Richie Adubato, who guided the Liberty to three WNBA Finals appearances and set a regular of excellence that also conjures up our group as we speak,” the group wrote on social media.
With deep gratitude we bear in mind the legacy of Richie Adubato, who guided the Liberty to three WNBA Finals appearances and set a regular of excellence that also conjures up our group as we speak.????️
Our heartfelt condolences exit to Richie’s family members throughout this time.???? pic.twitter.com/nmPDM4hsTh
— New York Liberty (@nyliberty) November 8, 2025
He additionally coached the WNBA’s Washington Mystics for two-plus seasons from 2005 to 2007.
Adubato was the interim head coach of the Magic in 1997 after serving as an assistant for a couple of years. He was additionally was the group’s radio analyst from 2005 to 2020.
“The DeVos household and the Orlando Magic are saddened to be taught of the passing of Richie Adubato,” the group stated in a press release.
“Richie’s legacy lives on in each story and lesson he shared – a coach who turned the health club into a spot of connection and pleasure, impacting numerous lives with heat, humor, and unforgettable spirit,” the Magic stated. “Our ideas and prayers are together with his spouse, Carol, and your complete Adubato household.”
ESPN analyst Dick Vitale stated his expensive pal would “be missed however by no means forgotten” in a put up on X.
Right this moment my expensive pal RICHIE ADUBATO handed away.Richie was considered one of our “JERSEY BOYS ” together with @MikeFratello Hubie Brown & yours really who all chased goals in teaching .Richie coached on each degree – HS -School- @NBA .He’ll be missed however by no means forgotten .Might Richie RIP! pic.twitter.com/jXMiyAjGBL
— Dick Vitale (@DickieV) November 7, 2025
He was additionally an interim head coach in Detroit through the 1979-80 season and later was the top coach in Dallas from 1989-93.
“The NBA and WNBA mourn the passing of Richie Adubato,” the NBA posted to X on Friday. “Richie’s teaching profession spanned 4 a long time, together with serving as head coach for the Dallas Mavericks, New York Liberty and Washington Mystics, in addition to interim head coach for the Detroit Pistons and Orlando Magic.”
Earlier than teaching within the NBA, Adubato spent 18 years teaching highschool and faculty basketball in New Jersey. He graduated from William Paterson and was captain of each the basketball and baseball groups there.
The Related Press contributed to this report.