LSU coach who mentored Shaq dies at 90

Dale Brown died on Friday, October 23, at age 90. The longtime LSU basketball coach is best known for discovering and mentoring Shaquille O'Neal. Brown's career included developing a player who became one of the most recognizable figures in professional sports.

Brown first met O'Neal in 1984. At the time, O'Neal was 13 years old and living on a military base in West Germany. He stood 6 feet, 9 inches tall. Brown was running a basketball clinic at the base. The teenager approached Brown for advice on his game. Brown initially mistook O'Neal for a soldier and asked how long he had served in the Army.

After learning the player's age, Brown recognized his potential. He began mailing letters and basketball exercises to the teen. They kept in touch as O'Neal grew into a top high school prospect. Brown eventually recruited him to LSU. O'Neal played for the Tigers from 1989 to 1992. During that time, he became a two-time consensus All-American and a two-time SEC Player of the Year.

The 1992 NBA draft selected O'Neal as the No. 1 overall pick. The relationship between the two men continued beyond college. In a 1999 letter published by LSU Athletics, O'Neal wrote that Brown was the only college coach he ever had and the only one he ever wanted. O'Neal described Brown as a father figure, leader, and motivator.

Brown attended O'Neal's first NBA championship celebration with the Los Angeles Lakers in 2000. That same year, O'Neal returned to LSU to finish his degree. He had promised his family and Brown he would do so when he left school in 1992. In 2015, ESPN released a documentary titled Shaq & Dale. The film, directed by Hannah Storm and narrated by Tim McGraw, traced their history from Germany to O'Neal's professional career.

LSU announced on October 21 that Brown would receive the John R. Wooden Legends of Coaching Award. The honor was scheduled for April 2027. O'Neal recorded a video message to congratulate his former coach. He reflected on the impact Brown had on his life and career. The two men maintained regular contact through letters and emails for decades, according to LSU.