Delaney, a lifelong Willoughby resident, was with the Cavaliers during Ted Stepien's ownership in the early 1980s.
Don Delaney had a 7-19 record in parts of two seasons as the Cavaliers coach.CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Don Delaney, a Cleveland Cavaliers coach and general manager during the tumultuous ownership era of Ted Stepien, died on Wednesday at age 75.
Delaney, who lived in Willoughby his entire life, was surrounded by his family when he died at Manor Care in Mayfield Heights. He had encountered health problems for some time, including a stroke more than 10 years ago.
Delaney had various coaching, teaching and counseling jobs at Kirtland, Eastlake North and Willoughby South high schools. He had been a successful small-college basketball coach at Dyke College (now Chancellor University) in Cleveland and at Lakeland Community College when Stepien became the Cavaliers owner prior to the 1980-81 season.
Stepien also owned the Cleveland Competitors professional softball team, which was coached by Delaney. So, Delaney wasn't surprised when Stepien asked him to fill a role with the Cavaliers, but when Stepien said he wanted Delaney to be the team's general manager, Delaney -- according to legend -- replied, "You want me to do WHAT?"
The Cavaliers went 66-180 during Stepien's ownership, which was notable for not only bizarre -- though some claim ground-breaking -- game-entertainment features, but even more for baffling front office and player personnel decisions.
Delaney, friendly with the media and a solid representative for the team to its dwindling fan base, generally stayed above the fray as Stepien and Cavs coach and player personnel director Bill Musselman squabbled with the media and began turning what had been an average playing roster into a poor one.
Though Delaney held the general manager's title, most personnel decisions were made by Stepien and Musselman. Yet, when the Cavs were 25-46 during Stepien's first year, he named Delaney as the new coach, replacing Musselman, who retained some front office duties.
Delaney and the Cavaliers won three of their last 11 games to finish the 80-81 season.
Still with Delaney as its coach, Cleveland began the 1981-82 season with a 4-11 record. Then, Stepien replaced him with assistant coach Bob Kloppenburg for three games (0-3), with future Hall of Fame coach Chuck Daly (9-32) and then, again, Musselman (2-19).
Delaney returned to a front office role. He wasn't, in fairness, blamed for the disastrous deals that prompted the NBA to impose a moratorium on the Cavaliers, not allowing the team to make trades without league approval.
Stepien made noise about moving the Cavaliers to Toronto as the 1982-83 season wound down. However, in a move the NBA helped facilitate, he sold the team to the Gund brothers, Gordon and George, following the season.
Delaney was born in South Euclid on Jan. 3, 1936. He owned "Delaney's Chase Inn" in Mentor the last 27 years.
Delaney earned bachelors and Masters degrees from Kent State. He is a member of Lakeland Community College's athletic Hall of Fame.
Delaney leaves his wife, Lorraine; daughter, Mary Beth (Steven) Rus; son, Michael D. (Kim) Delaney; brothers Robert (Esther) and Larry (Karen) Delaney; stepchildren Cassidy Balsitis and Maggie Van Gorder; grandchildren Hannah and Jason Rus; brother-in-law Andy Dingenary.
He was preceded in death by parents Papa Dave and Agnes Delaney, sister Alice Dingenary and grandchild Jacob Rus.
Visitation will be from 1 to 5 p.m. on Sunday at Brunner Funeral Home and Cremation Service, 8466 Mentor Ave. in Mentor. Funeral services will be at noon Monday, also at Brunner.
Source: http://www.cleveland.com/ohio-sports-blog/index.ssf/2011/02/don_delaney_former_cleveland_c.html
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