Brendan Malone, the father of Denver Nuggets head coach Michael Malone, passed away on Tuesday at the age of 81 years old.

Malone was the first head coach of the Raptors for its inaugural 1995-96 season.

“Coach Brendan Malone was a great man who left behind a great legacy in the world of basketball, but he will be remembered even more for the amazing husband, father, son and grandfather that he was and the profound impact he had on the friends, family and colleagues who were lucky enough to know him," the Nuggets released in a statement.

Malone, also a longtime assistant head coach in the league, was known for his defensive principles.