https://www.chron.com/sports/rockets/article/carroll-dawson-houston-rockets-obituary-19752663.php
Rudy Tomjanovich, Tilman Fertitta and the Houston Rockets paid tribute to Carroll Dawson on Monday after the franchise's former executive and coach died at 86.
Dawson played a key role in the Rockets' rise in the 1980s and 90s, working as both a general manager and assistant coach. He became a Houston assistant in 1979 and subsequently formed a close relationship with 1984 No. 1 pick (and future Hall of Famer) Hakeem Olajuwon. The Houston Chronicle's Jonathan Feigen wrote Monday it was Dawson who convinced former head coach Tomjanovich to join the Rockets in 1991, and after a move to the front office, Dawson engineered the acquisitions of Steve Francis and Yao Ming.
Dawson never played a minute for the Rockets. He was never Houston's full-time head coach. He still has his initials hung in the Toyota Center rafters, and rightfully so. Many of the franchise's historic heights wouldn't have occurred without Dawson's work.
"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 a statement Monday. "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."
Rudy Tomjanovich, Tilman Fertitta and the Houston Rockets paid tribute to Carroll Dawson on Monday after the franchise's former executive and coach died at 86.
Dawson played a key role in the Rockets' rise in the 1980s and 90s, working as both a general manager and assistant coach. He became a Houston assistant in 1979 and subsequently formed a close relationship with 1984 No. 1 pick (and future Hall of Famer) Hakeem Olajuwon. The Houston Chronicle's Jonathan Feigen wrote Monday it was Dawson who convinced former head coach Tomjanovich to join the Rockets in 1991, and after a move to the front office, Dawson engineered the acquisitions of Steve Francis and Yao Ming.
Dawson never played a minute for the Rockets. He was never Houston's full-time head coach. He still has his initials hung in the Toyota Center rafters, and rightfully so. Many of the franchise's historic heights wouldn't have occurred without Dawson's work.
"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 a statement Monday. "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."