Richard "Richie" Adubato

Richard Adam Adubato (Richie), beloved NBA and WNBA coach, whose impressive career in basketball spanned 6 decades, passed away on November 6, 2025. He was 87. Born November 23, 1937 in Irvington, NJ, he was part of the phenomenon known as the “Jersey Guys” a group of young junior high and high school coaches who went on to have successful careers in the NBA. Known as Coach for more than 60 years, Richie coached basketball at every level and achieved his ultimate dream of coaching in the NBA for 20 years and the WNBA for nearly 10 years.

He graduated from William Paterson University, where he was a standout player on the basketball and baseball teams. After coaching at the high school level, he became the head coach at Upsala College (NJ) and won the ECAC Division III title in 1976, and in 1978 earned the school’s first NCAA bid in twenty years. In 1978-79 he got his big break when Dick Vitale invited him to be his assistant coach with the Detroit Pistons, where he was briefly the interim head coach. Next up was as an assistant coach for the New York Knicks under Hubie Brown from 1982-86. In 1986 he became an assistant with the Dallas Mavericks, and then the head coach from 1989-93. He spent a season as an assistant coach for the Cleveland Cavaliers under Mike Fratello. The next move was to the Orlando Magic, as an assistant from 1994-1996.and the interim head coach 1996-97. His WNBA career began as the head coach of the New York Liberty (1999-2004). During that time his teams won 3 Eastern Conference Championships. In 2006 he became the head coach of the Washington Mystics. Richie Adubato was the only coach to lead 2 NBA teams and 2 WNBA teams to the playoffs. After his coaching days, he became the Orlando Magic radio color analyst for 15 years.

He passed away peacefully at home, surrounded by family. He is survived by his loving wife Carol, his daughter Beth, sons Scott and Adam, granddaughter Allegra, grandson Sean, sister Valerie, sister-in-law Barbara, and numerous cousins and friends. His kindness, humor and zest for life will be greatly missed. Those who knew him will miss his colorful stories and equally colorful ties.  

A celebration of life mass will be held at 1:30 on Tuesday, February 17, 2026 at Annunciation Catholic Church, 1020 Montgomery Road Altamonte Springs, FL.