Former Rockets assistant coach and general manager Carroll Dawson died on Monday at the age of 86, the team announced in a statement mourning his loss (Twitter link).
Dawson, who joined the Rockets as an assistant coach in 1980 under Del Harris, remained on the staff under Bill Fitch and Don Chaney, then helped convince Rudy Tomjanovich to become Houston’s head coach in 1992, writes Jonathan Feigen of The Houston Chronicle (subscription required).
Health issues, including vision loss related to being struck by lightning in 1989, eventually necessitated a move away from the sidelines for Dawson, who was named the Rockets’ general manager in 1996. His most notable moves in that role included drafting Yao Ming in 2002 and trading for Tracy McGrady in 2004. He was eventually succeeded by Daryl Morey in 2007 after spending 27 seasons with the franchise.
As Feigen details, Dawson’s impact on the Rockets was so significant that a jersey bearing his initials (“CD”) hangs in the rafters of the Toyota Center alongside the team’s retired numbers.
“For nearly three decades, CD was a cornerstone of our organization, instrumental in shaping the careers of stars like Hakeem Olajuwon and Ralph Sampson,” the Rockets said in their statement announcing his passing. “A proud Texas native, CD served as the only coach to be present for all four of Houston’s NBA Finals appearances, including the back-to-back championship teams.
“As general manager, he brought iconic talents to Houston including Charles Barkley, Steve Francis, Yao Ming, and Tracy McGrady, while also assembling the four-time WNBA champion Houston Comets.
“While CD’s contributions to basketball were remarkable, it was his character that truly stood out. We will deeply miss his uplifting spirit, infectious humor, and kind-hearted nature. We are proud that CD’s legacy will forever be honored with his banner hanging from the rafters of Toyota Center, alongside our other Rockets legends.”
We at Hoops Rumors send our condolences to Dawson’s family and friends.
