Who was Jerry Sloan? Everything You Need to Know

Quick Facts

Also Known As: Gerald Eugene Sloan

Died At Age: 78

Family:

Spouse/Ex-: Tammy Jessop (m. 2006), Bobbye Sloan (m. 1963–2004)

siblings: Charles Ralph Sloan

children: Brian Sloan, Holly Sloan Parish, Kathy Sloan Wood

Born Country: United States

Coaches Basketball Players

Height: 6'5" (196 cm), 6'5" Males

Died on: May 22, 2020

place of death: Salt Lake City, Utah, United States

Notable Alumni: University Of Evansville

: Lewy Body Dementia

Cause of Death: Parkinson's Disease

U.S. State: Illinois

More Facts

education: University of Evansville

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Childhood & Early Life

Jerry Sloan was born Gerald Eugene Sloan in McLeansboro, Illinois, USA, on March 28, 1942. After the death of his father, he was raised along with nine siblings by their single mother.

He went to ‘McLeansboro High School’, Illinois. He completed his education as an all-state player in 1960. Sloan then went to the University of Illinois for a short time and then joined the University of Evansville.

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Career

Jerry Sloan started his college basketball career for the ‘Evansville Purple Aces’ men’s basketball team. In recognition of his achievements, his “jersey number 52” was retired by the ‘University of Evansville’.

He made his entry into the world of NBA when he was selected 19th in the ‘1964 NBA Draft’ by the ‘Baltimore Bullets’. He was selected 4th overall in the 1965 NBA Draft by the ‘Baltimore Bullets’ again. The team made one of their worst decisions when they traded him to the newly formed ‘Chicago Bulls’ in 1966.

He was part of the ‘NBA All-Star’ team in 1967 and 1969. As part of the first ‘Chicago Bulls’ team (1966 – 1976), Jerry Sloan went on to become one of their greatest players ever. He led the team to the playoffs and their first division title, in their first season.

His career as a pro-basketball player ended in 1976, with the ‘Chicago Bulls’, following many knee injuries. Before his retirement, he had scored more than fifteen points almost every game and had a rebounding average of 7.4 per game.

Jerry Sloan was also part of the ‘NBA All-Defensive First Team’ in 1969, 1972, and 1974 – 1975. Simultaneously, he was also a member of the ‘NBA All-Defensive Second Team’ (1970 – 1971).

In 1976, Sloan became the coach for the ‘University of Evansville’ team for 5 days. He was then recruited by the ‘Chicago Bulls’ in 1978, as a scout and then made an assistant coach.

In 1979, Sloan became the head coach for ‘Chicago Bulls’ (1979 – 1982). In his three seasons, he won 94 games and lost 121. He was let go after the third season.

In 1983, Jerry Sloan became a scout for the ‘Utah Jazz’ team. From 1985 to 1988, he went on to serve as the assistant coach for the team. In 1988, he was appointed the head coach of ‘Utah Jazz’, a position he held until 2011.

Under Jerry Sloan, ‘Utah Jazz’ reached the playoffs for sixteen consecutive seasons from 1989 to 2003. They were also placed first in the ‘Midwest Division’ in the ‘1988 – 1989’, ‘1991 – 1992’, ‘1996 – 1997’, ‘1997 – 1998’, and ‘1999 -2000’ seasons.

Sloan also led the ‘Utah Jazz’ to ‘NBA Finals’ in 1997 and 1998. For the ‘2006 – 2007’, ‘2007 – 2008’, and ‘2009 – 2010’ seasons, Jerry coached the team to first place again in the ‘Northwest Division’ in the ‘Western Conference’. He resigned as head coach on February 10, 2011.

On January 19, 2013, he returned as an adviser for the ‘Utah Jazz’. He was honored by the franchise on January 31, 2014, with a banner stating “1223”, representing his wins. The number was also retired.

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Awards & Achievements

In 2009, Jerry Sloan was inducted into the ‘Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame’ .

Personal Life, Legacy & Death

Jerry Sloan was married to his high-school sweetheart, Barbara Irvin (Bobbye) from April 12, 1963, until her death to pancreatic cancer on June 18, 2004. They had three children together, Brian Sloan, Kathy Sloan Wood, Holly Sloan Parish.

In 2006, Sloan married Tammy Jessop. He had a stepson from the marriage named Rhett.

He was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease in April 2016. On July 17, 2019, reports emerged that his condition was deteriorating fast, due to the disease and dementia.

Death

Jerry Sloan died from complications of parkinson disease and dementia, on May 22, 2020. He was 78.

Jerry Sloan Biography

Death