Richie Adubato, former Liberty and NBA coach, dead at 87

Richie Adubato, a longtime NBA and WNBA coach who had a stint with the Liberty, died Thursday, his family shared in a social media post Friday.

He was 87.

Adubato served as the Liberty franchise’s second head coach from 1999-2004, coaching future Hall of Famers Becky Hammon and Teresa Weatherspoon.

While at the helm of the Liberty, Adubato led the team to a 100-78 record across parts of six seasons, leading them to three WNBA Finals appearances before being fired midway through the 2004 season.

Adubato still holds the record for games coached with the Liberty, and is second in career wins behind Sandy Brondello, who parted ways with the team following the 2025 season.

Adubato’s time with the Liberty was toward the end of his illustrious coaching career that spanned nearly 40 years and started with the now-defunct Upsala College in East Orange, New Jersey.

Following his decade-long tenure at the Division III school, the New Jersey native landed an NBA assistant coaching job with the Pistons for the 1978-79 season before serving as interim head coach the following year.

For the next two decades, Adubato held a number of coaching positions in the NBA with the Knicks, Cavaliers, Magic and in Dallas, where he served as Mavericks head coach from 1989-93.

“The NBA and WNBA mourn the passing of Richie Adubato,” the NBA posted to X on Friday. “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.

“He was also a dedicated radio analyst for Magic games for 15 years. We extend our deepest condolences to the Adubato family.”

Before making the switch over to the WNBA, Adubato had a brief head coaching stint in Orlando, leading the team to a 21-12 record during the 1996-97 season.

“The DeVos family and the Orlando Magic are saddened to learn of the passing of Richie Adubato,” the team’s ownership said in a statement, per the Orlando Sentinel.

Adubato remained close with the Magic, later becoming one of their radio analysts from 2005 through 2020.

“Richie’s legacy lives on in every story and lesson he shared — a coach who turned the gym into a place of connection and joy, impacting countless lives with warmth, humor, and unforgettable spirit,” the Magic said.

““Our thoughts and prayers are with his wife, Carol, and the entire Adubato family.”