(October 7, 1931-July 24, 2004)
Born in Hannibal, Missouri
Birth name is Lowell Fitzsimmons
Head coach for Moberly Area Community College (1958-67), Kansas State University (1968-70), Phoenix Suns (1970-72, 1988-92, 1996-97), Atlanta Hawks (1972-76), Buffalo Braves/Kansas City Kings (1977-84) and the San Antonio Spurs (1984-86)
Director of player personnel for the Golden State Warriors (1976-77)
Career NBA coaching record of 832-775
Director of player personnel for the Golden State Warriors (1976-77)
NBA Coach of the Year (1979, 1988)
Died in Phoenix, Arizona

He got his nickname 'Cotton' as a result of his hairstyle.
He never played a game in the professional ranks.
He coached the Suns on three separate occasions.
He described his first experience of coaching as similar to that of a baseball manager pulling out a pitcher, who is more experienced then him.
He quit the Hawks in protest after the team traded Pete Maravich to New Orleans.
He resigned as the Suns head coach for the final time after the team started the season winless in their first eight games (1996).

He was considered one of the NBA's most quotable coaches
He worked in a brick plant to help support his family, before pursuing a career in coaching.
He had a close friendship with Suns owner Jerry Colangelo, and would often work on one year deals with the team.
He publicly called out the Suns fans when they booed the team's selection of Dan Majerle, citing they would be sorry they booed him.
He is the sixth coach in NBA history to record 800 career wins.
He once said about his life's philosophy 'You're not going to make me have a bad day. If there's oxygen on earth and I'm breathing, it's going to be a good day.'

Credit: Ricky

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