Brendan Malone, who oversaw the renowned Detroit Pistons defences of the late 1980s and 1990s and was the father of Denver Nuggets coach Michael Malone, passed away at the age of 81.

In a post on social media on Tuesday, the Nuggets shared the information.

“It is with tremendous sadness that we share the passing of longtime NBA coach Brendan Malone, who holds a special place amongst the organisation and will be a Denver Nugget forever,” the team said in a statement.

For 30 years, Malone worked as an assistant coach in the NBA, most notably from 1988 to 1995 with the Pistons. “The Jordan Rules,” a set of defensive guidelines that helped Detroit defeat Chicago in the playoffs and win two championships, were developed and popularised with his assistance.

Malone only served as the NBA’s head coach for one season, the inaugural campaign of the Toronto Raptors in 1995–96. The following season, he was let go. Later, in 1996, Malone joined Jeff Van Gundy’s coaching staff at the New York Knicks, where he contributed to their 1999 trip to the Finals.

Malone also temporarily assisted his son Michael as the lead assistant for the Sacramento Kings.

The Tex Winter Assistant Coach Lifetime Impact Award for 2023 was given to him in July.