Tide Assistant T.R. Dunn Heads Back to Denver Nuggets
8/26/2002 12:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball
TUSCALOOSA - Mark Gottfried knew he'd acquired a gem when he talked T.R. Dunn in to returning to his Alma Mater, the University of Alabama, as an assistant coach in April 2001. Dunn, a two-time All-American for the Crimson Tide who coupled his 1974-77 playing career with a classroom ethic that included being the business school's student of the year, was the total package, an asset on the court and off.
Monday, August 26, the NBA showed that it, too, sought treasure in Dunn. Dunn was hired by his old NBA team, the Denver Nuggets, as assistant coach. The Nuggets general manager, Kiki Vandeweghe, has been a Dunn fan ever since the two played together in the NBA for the Nuggets.
"I played with T.R. and know him very well," said Vandeweghe in a Denver Post story. "I have a lot of respect for him and what he brings. He did a very good job as an assistant for Charlotte and in Denver. He is definitely a good candidate."
For Alabama, the news is bittersweet. "I hate it for us, love it for T.R.," said Crimson Tide head coach Mark Gottfried. "I'm excited for T.R. It's a great opportunity for him. We've discussed it. He loves Alabama. He was happy here. But at the same time, this opportunity with the Nuggets was one that he should not say no to.
"He made an impact here. I think that he was an integral part of us winning the SEC Championship. Although we'll miss him, we're all excited for him at the same time. It's a great complement to have the opportunity that he does. I am proud that a whole new generation of Alabama fans and our players got to know him. He's someone we will always be able to point to with pride and brag that he is one of our players."
Dunn prepped at Birmingham's West End High School where he ranked seventh in his graduating class of 396 with a 3.91 GPA. A starter beginning with his freshman season, Dunn played at Alabama for four seasons, helping the team win three SEC Championships in 1974, 1975 and 1976. He was captain of the 1976 team. He scored 1,247 career points for an average of 11.2. Dunn was drafted in the 2nd round of the 1977 NBA draft by the Portland Trail Blazers where he played from 1977-80 before he was traded to the Nuggets. Dunn was a three-time member of the NBA All-Defensive Team, in 1983, 1984 and 1985.
He played at Denver from 1981-88. His 1,070 steals ranks second on the franchise's all-time steals list and he ranks fourth all-time for the Nuggets in games played at 734. He finished his NBA playing career - a career total of 14 seasons - at Phoenix and began his coaching career at Charlotte as an assistant coach for the Hornets from 1991-97. He was an assistant for the Nuggets in 1997-98. The Charlotte organization then hired him as an assistant coach for its WNBA team, the Charlotte Sting in 1998-99 then elevated him to head coach of the Sting in 1999. While head coach at the Sting, he coached former Tide All-Americans Niesa Johnson and Shalonda Enis.
