PHOENIX, AZ - APRIL 3 : Head Coach Igor Kokoskov of the Phoenix Suns and Head Coach Quin Snyder of the Utah Jazz shake hands after the game on April 3, 2019 at Talking Stick Resort Arena in Phoenix, Arizona. Copyright 2019 NBAE (Photo by Michael Gonzales/NBAE via Getty Images)
Utah Jazz notes: Legendary trainer Don Sparks dies, Igor to Sac-Town
Don Sparks, a key figure in the history of the Utah Jazz franchise, has passed away. Also — former Jazz assistant Igor Kokoskov gets a new coaching gig.
When you think about the people who helped slowly transform the New Orleans/Utah Jazz from a woeful expansion team in the mid-’70s to a playoffs mainstay, two-time NBA Finals challenger and one of the league’s best overall organizations, a handful of names immediately come to mind.
Sam Battistone. Pete Maravich. Hot Rod Hundley. Larry H. and Gail Miller. Frank Layden. Adrian Dantley. Karl Malone. John Stockton. Jerry Sloan. However, they’re not the only people who should be on the Jazz’s proverbial Mount Rushmore. Without question, Don Sparks, the team’s first athletic trainer — who went on to man the post for 20 years — definitely earned his own spot on the mountain.
Sparks, who was known as ‘Sparky’ around the team and the Association and was also dubbed ‘Magic Fingers’ by Hot Rod as a tribute to his ability to keep Jazzmen in the game, passed away earlier this month at his home in Bristow, Virginia. He was 90 years old.
During his time with the Jazz, the University of Texas alum and Air Force veteran worked on everyone from Pistol Pete, Gail Goodrich and Len ‘Truck’ Robinson to AD, Mark Eaton, Stockton, Malone and Bryon Russell. In 1984, the league honored him as Trainer of the Year
However, he was much more than just a trainer. In the Jazz’s early days as a franchise, the jack of all trades literally helped keep the team functioning and afloat.
From Aaron Falk’s Thursday write-up on Sparks —
With a big personality, a kind heart and a tireless dedication, Sparks handled myriad duties within his role. He dealt with sprained ankles and knee injuries as head trainer; booked flights and hotels as the team’s travel secretary; and setup locker room’s as a de facto equipment manager.
In Falk’s piece, fellow Jazz lifer David Fredman recounted a story of Sparks renting storage lockers to stash the team’s equipment as financial difficulties loomed during the early years —
“Under the threat of lawsuits he went and rented storage lockers in New Orleans,” Fredman said. “He would go late at night and take the equipment and put it in those lockers because we were afraid we’d show up and there’d be a padlock on the locker room.”
Sparks is survived by his wife, Joyce, three children and six grandchildren.
Coach Igor gets a new gig
After getting unceremoniously dismissed by the Phoenix Suns after leading the young team to a 19-63 record, former Jazz assistant coach Igor Kokoskov looks to have found the next stop in his basketball coaching journey.
Per ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski, the 47-year-old will accept an assistant coaching job with the Sacramento Kings.
Under head coach Luke Walton, Kokoskov will be part of a new staff that includes Jesse Mermuys, Bob Beyer, Roy Rana and former Kings point guard Bobby Jackson.
