Late, Doug Moe’s wife, Jane Moe, was the quiet strength behind one of basketball’s most colorful and successful coaches.
While Doug Moe became a legend for his high-flying motion offense, wild sideline energy, and decade leading the Denver Nuggets, Jane stood by his side through every high and low in his career and life.
Doug Moe, born on September 21, 1938, in Brooklyn, New York, was a standout player at the University of North Carolina, earning All-American honors twice with the Tar Heels.
He was drafted into the NBA by the Detroit Pistons in 1960 and later by the Chicago Packers in 1961, but injuries cut his playing days short.
He transitioned to coaching, starting as an assistant with the Carolina Cougars in the ABA under his old college teammate, Larry Brown, from 1972 to 1974.
His head coaching journey took him to the San Antonio Spurs (where he never had a losing season), a brief stint with the Philadelphia 76ers, and then his most famous chapter with the Nuggets from 1980 to 1990.
There, he racked up 432 wins, a franchise record that stood for decades and pioneered the fast, entertaining style that influenced modern NBA play.
Behind the scenes, Jane was his constant partner. The couple married and built a life together, welcoming their son David on June 10, 1964.
David followed in his father’s footsteps, becoming an assistant coach in both the NBA and NCAA Division I.
Doug often affectionately called his wife “Big Jane“, a playful nickname that stuck for over 50 years, even though friends described her as petite.
She embraced it with remarkable grace, and it became a sweet part of their story that fans and colleagues loved to share.
Jane stayed out of the spotlight, with little public information available about her personal life.
Yet she was always there, supporting Doug during his coaching highs, like leading teams to the playoffs, and his challenges, including his 1990 firing from the Nuggets.
She even played a role in his career decisions, once calling Larry Brown to encourage Doug to take a job.
Doug Moe passed away peacefully on February 17, 2026, at age 87 in San Antonio, Texas, after a long battle with cancer.
He died holding the hand of his beloved wife Jane, surrounded by family.
Tributes poured in from across the basketball world, remembering him as a fun, irreverent personality and a devoted family man who truly loved his wife and loved ones.
He is survived by Jane, his son David, his daughter-in-law, his grandchildren, and many others who cherished him.
Jane Moe may have preferred to stay private, but her unwavering presence made her an essential part of Doug’s remarkable life and legacy.
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