There’s a stark difference between teaching and coaching. But for Richie Adubato, it was teaching that became the foundation of his coaching career. Long before the bright lights of the NBA or WNBA, he spent his days walking through the inner cities of New Jersey, teaching five kids a day in their homes.

“Before I’d start, I’d drag the kitchen table into the middle of the room and slam it on the floor to keep the roaches away,” he once recalled. When a child’s home life was too harsh, he’d teach them in diners, even buying their lunch. That was Adubato: a man who coached hearts before players, who saw humanity before talent. Though he might not be physically with us to share more of those lessons, he will be remembered for a long time.

The NBA History account posted to X on Friday after the passing of Adubato at 87, without declaring the cause: “The NBA and WNBA mourn the passing of Richie Adubato… Richie’s coaching career spanned four decades, including serving as head coach for the Dallas Mavericks, New York Liberty, and Washington Mystics, as well as interim head coach for the Detroit Pistons and Orlando Magic.” 

Adubato was unique – as a head coach, an analyst, and a person. Everything he did, he did with his whole heart. That’s why he didn’t just play basketball. He also played first base in baseball for William Paterson College. For him, it was never about two sports, but about serving. That’s why he was captain of both teams. 

But what made him really stand out wasn’t just his skills. He was a keen observer and a true guide. You could ask him anything, and he’d remember. As his wife and fellow New Jersey native, Carol Adubato, shared in 1990, “I can’t believe the stuff he can remember. I actually saw Richie coach in high school, but I didn’t know who he was. My cousin played against Richie’s team. Richie can not only remember my cousin, who was a good player, but how many points he scored against Richie’s team and what the score of the games were.”

For him, it came from years of experience. Every time Richie lost a game, he would go back and watch the tape “twenty times.” That dedication eventually turned him into a “basketball savant.” Yet, his love of learning never stopped there. When a friend once told him he needed to advance in college coaching, he earned a master’s degree in administration.

All this earned him an impressive career, from being an NBA assistant for seven years to a collegiate head coach for six, a high school head coach for another six, an interim NBA head coach for ten, and a WNBA head coach for seven. But his expertise wasn’t really just coaching. It was he who was a keen observer and a knowledge bank, too. And that’s something you could tell by watching him talk to the press after a game. 

He didn’t just recap; he talked about basketball like a poet talks about words. Ask him anything, and his answers would turn into deep dives about patterns and low-post matchups. So at 87, he had built the perfect example of a prolific résumé and a successful coaching career. That’s why, as soon as the news broke, fans couldn’t help but celebrate the excellence he left behind.

Fans mourn the tragic loss

Within minutes of the tragic news, prayers began flooding social media. “This is very tragic. May his soul rest in perfect peace,” wrote one user. Another added, “RIP. This was one of the first Mavs coaches ever… they sucked, but it was my formative years, I suppose. At least he had a long life doing what he (presumably) loved.”

And that’s true. When the Mavericks were still finding their identity, Richie helped guide them through. It took him fifty-two years, but everything he’d learned added up to one purpose – coaching talented veterans toward their strongest run at an NBA title. He first served as an assistant, then as head coach.

But his legacy wasn’t limited to the NBA. The WNBA carries his fingerprints, too. “Richie Adubato, who is the Liberty’s record-holder for games coached and second in wins, has died. In New York, he coached notables such as Becky Hammon, Teresa Weatherspoon, and Sue Wicks to great success,” wrote another user. Richie compiled a 100–78 record with the Liberty, leading them to three WNBA Finals appearances.

“Coached those early Liberty teams that I LOVED. RIP,” penned another fan. Indeed, Richie led the Liberty to the WNBA Finals three times in six years. “Damn. RIP Coach,” wrote another. It’s a tough loss for everyone. But one thing is certain – Richie Adubato didn’t just coach games. He built people, teams, and legacies that will never fade.