Carroll Dawson Dies at Age 86; Won 2 NBA Titles as Rockets Assistant Coach

Featured Columnist IVSeptember 9, 2024

SECAUCUS, NJ - MAY 23: Carroll Dawson, General Manager of the Houston Rockets, reacts after getting the Number 8 pick during the 2006 NBA Draft Lottery on May 23, 2006 at the NBA Studios in Secaucus, New Jersey. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2006 NBAE (Photo by Jennifer Pottheiser/NBAE via Getty Images)

Jennifer Pottheiser/NBAE via Getty Images

Former Houston Rockets general manager and assistant coach Carroll Dawson died Monday, the team announced. He was 86.

The team released the following statement:

"The Rockets family mourns the loss of beloved former coach and general manager, Carroll Dawson, affectionately known as 'CD.'

"For nearly three decades, CD was a cornerstone of our organization, instrumental in shaping the careers of stars like Hakeem Olajuwon and Ralph Sampson. 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."

A cause of death was not released publicly.

A number of tributes followed news of Carroll's death:

✨ Watch more top videos, highlights, and B/R original content

John McClain @McClain_on_NFL
So sad to hear Carroll Dawson, CD as he was known, has died. One of Baylor's most famous basketball players and coaches before joining Rockets as an assistant coach and GM. Also Comets' GM when they won 4 WNBA titles. R.I.P. CD!

John McClain @McClain_on_NFL
I met Carroll Dawson when he was an assistant coach at Baylor and I was in junior school. He was one of the greatest story tellers ever. Such a great sense of humor. He had friends across the basketball world and will be missed by so many.

Charlie Pallilo @Pallilo
Carroll Dawson was a delightful human being and terrific basketball guy. Rudy T's right-hand man and then some in the Rockets' glory years.<br>Rest in peace "C.D."

"It wouldn't have happened without him," former Rockets head coach Rudy Tomjanovich told Jonathan Feigen of the Houston Chronicle. "The success wouldn't have happened without him. People don't understand how important he was to all of us."

"He was an amazing man," he added. "Life is interesting. You run into people. Sometimes there is chemistry that clicks. I was a city guy from up north. He was a guy from the country. He blessed my life so greatly. Yesterday, when I heard things were getting close, so many memories went through my head. I was thinking how fortunate I was to have him in my life."

Carroll played for Baylor during his college career and later served as the head coach there from 1973 to '77 seasons. He then served as the Rockets' assistant head coach from 1980 to '96 before moving to a position in the front office. He served as general manager until 2007, when he brought on Daryl Morey to serve as his successor.