PORTLAND, Ore. (July 5, 2022) – Ohio Athletics is saddened to hear of the passing of Kermit Blosser Hall of Fame member, and 1987-88 NBA Coach of the Year Mike "Coach" Schuler.
An Ohio native, Schuler graduated from Ohio University in 1962 after winning two MAC championships as a member of the Ohio basketball team. After graduation, Schuler began his coaching career as an assistant at Army in 1965. Schuler then returned to Ohio to serve as an assistant for three seasons. Following that stint, the Virginia Military Institute hired him to serve as the school's head coach in 1969. He spent four seasons as the head coach at Rice University before transitioning to the professional game as an assistant for the New Jersey Nets in 1981. Overall, Schuler's impressive coaching career spanned 40 years with his first 16 years spent in the college game and the final 24 in the NBA. He was inducted into the Ohio Athletics Hall of Fame as the recipient of the Glenn C. Randall Lifetime Achievement Award.
"We mourn the passing of a great husband, father and coach," Ohio head coach Jeff Boals said. "Mike (Schuler) impacted many lives along his long, successful coaching journey. He loved his wife, his kids and Ohio University. My condolences to his family."
Schuler served as head coach of the Trail Blazers from 1987-89 and worked around the league in various coaching positions through 2005. He earned his NBA Coach of the Year recognition in his rookie season as a coach after leading the Trail Blazers to the playoffs with a record of 49-33. Schuler was the second coach in NBA history to win the prestigious award in their rookie season, with only five coaches currently holding that honor.
Coach, better known as "Poppop" to his family, enjoyed nothing more than watching his grandchildren do their things. He is survived by his daughter Kimberly S. Foxx, husband Bryan Foxx, their children, Weston Michael Foxx and Madison Morgan Foxx from Elkhorn, Nebraska. Also, daughter Kristin Schuler Baker, husband Rick Baker, their children Jaxson Schuler Baker, and Jordan Brooke Baker from Phoenix, Arizona.
