SAN ANTONIO – A beloved former Spurs assistant coach has passed away at the age of 60, KSAT confirmed with the organization on Wednesday.
Don Newman was an assistant coach with the Spurs under Gregg Popovich for eight seasons.
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He joined the Spurs in 2004 and helped the team win two NBA championships in 2005 and 2007 before he joined the Washington Wizards coaching staff in 2012.
Newman coached at multiple levels of basketball, including high school and college. His final year coaching in the NBA was with the Wizards in 2016.
Newman reportedly passed away after a battle with cancer. His former players took to social media to send their condolences and prayers.
Coaches equip people to be in touch with their best selves. Thank you Coach Don Newman for being one of those that embraced this side of coaching and the example you were as a man, a husband and a father to so many.
— Brent Barry (@Barryathree) September 12, 2018
RIP Don Newman, my coach as a rookie! Great man and father!!!
— Jason Hart (@JHart_1825) September 12, 2018
RIP Don Newman. Always greeted me with a joke and a smile. Much love to his family!
— 🏁 Jamal Crawford (@JCrossover) September 12, 2018