Jimmy Darden
Denver Nuggets Head Coach | NBA Player-Coach | University of Denver Player
Jimmy Darden was born on June 19, 1922, in Cheyenne, Wyoming. He played college basketball at the University of Denver and was selected by the Chicago Stags in the 1947 BAA Draft.
Darden later joined the Denver Nuggets for the 1949-1950 NBA season. He appeared in 26 games as a player while also serving as the team’s head coach.
He coached all 62 games during Denver’s only NBA season and finished with an 11-51 record.
Coach Darden passed away on April 29, 1994, at the age of 71.
- Overall Coaching Record: 11-51
Coaching Career
Jimmy Darden became the head coach of the Denver Nuggets when the franchise entered the NBA for the 1949-1950 season.
Darden served as both a player and coach during the season, appearing in 26 games on the court while coaching the team for all 62 regular-season games.
The Nuggets finished with an 11-51 record, placing sixth in the Western Division and missing the playoffs.
The 1949-1950 season became Denver’s only season in the NBA and Darden’s only BAA/NBA head coaching season.
Notable Players Coached
- Kenny Sailors
- 1943 NCAA Champion with Wyoming
- 1943 NCAA Tournament Most Outstanding Player
- 2× Consensus All-American