LSU legend Dale Brown dies at 90, two days after Wooden Award selection

Dale Brown, the longtime LSU basketball coach who identified Shaquille O'Neal as a promising talent in his early teens, died on Friday, October 23, at the age of 90.

Brown and O'Neal first met in 1984 at a military base in West Germany. O'Neal, who was then 13 years old and standing 6 feet, 9 inches, approached Brown to ask for advice on improving his game. Brown initially mistook the teenager for a soldier, asking how long he had served in the Army. Upon learning O'Neal's age, Brown began mailing him letters and basketball exercises. The two maintained this correspondence as O'Neal developed into a top high school prospect, culminating in Brown recruiting him to play for LSU from 1989 to 1992.

During his time in Baton Rouge, O'Neal earned two consensus All-American honors and was named SEC Player of the Year twice. He left LSU to become the No. 1 overall pick in the 1992 NBA draft. In a 1999 letter congratulating Brown on his induction into the Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame, O'Neal wrote that Brown was the only college coach he ever had and the only one he ever wanted. O'Neal returned to LSU in 2000 to complete his degree, a promise he made to Brown and his family when he departed in 1992. That same year, Brown was present when O'Neal won his first NBA championship with the Los Angeles Lakers.

The relationship was documented in the 2015 ESPN documentary 'Shaq & Dale,' directed by Hannah Storm and narrated by Tim McGraw. The film traced their bond from Germany through O'Neal's professional career. O'Neal described Brown as a father figure, leader, and motivator in a 2015 interview with Esquire. According to LSU, the two remained in regular contact via letters and emails for decades.

Brown received formal recognition from his alma mater just before his passing. On October 21, LSU announced that Brown had been selected as the 2027 recipient of the John R. Wooden Legends of Coaching Award. O'Neal recorded a video message congratulating Brown on the selection and reflecting on his former coach's impact. Brown was scheduled to receive the award in April 2027.

Brown's death was announced on the same day he passed away. His tenure at LSU included developing one of the most recognizable athletes in sports history. The university confirmed the selection of Brown for the Wooden Award two days prior to his death, marking the final public recognition of his coaching legacy before his passing.