Walt Hazzard

Walt Hazzard (1942-2011)

Teams coached: UCLA Bruins
UCLA record: 77-47 (.621)
Overall record: 77-47 (.621)

Career Accomplishments:

Awards:

Coaching Career (head coach, unless noted):

1984-1988 UCLA

Walt Hazzard Facts

  • Walter Raphael Hazzard, Jr.
    • Changed name to Mahdi Abdul-Rahman for religious purposes, but kept using the name Walt Hazzard professionally
  • Born April 15, 1942
  • Died November 18, 2011
  • Hometown: Wilmington, Delaware / Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
  • Alma Mater: University of California, Los Angeles (BA, 1964)
  • Starred at Overbrook HS in Philadelphia before going on to play for John Wooden at UCLA
  • Was a territorial pick for the Los Angeles Lakers in the 1964 NBA Draft, kicking off a ten-year pro career
    • Played for the Lakers, Seattle SuperSonics, Atlanta Hawks, Buffalo Braves and Golden State Warriors
      • Head coaches he played for: Fred Schaus, Al Bianchi, Richie Guerin, Dolph Schayes, Al Attles & Bill Russell
  • Returned to UCLA in 1984 to be the head coach of the Bruins, his first coaching role at any level
    • Won the 1985 NIT in his first year and returned to the NIT in 1986
    • Went 25-7 in 1986-87, winning the Pac-10 title and reaching the NCAA Tournament; won Pac-10 COY honors
    • Fired in 1988 following a 16-14 season, one of the Bruins’ worst finishes since the 1950s
  • Later worked for the Los Angeles Lakers as a college scout and special consultant
    • Remained a Lakers’ employee for the rest of his life, even when health issues kept him away from the team
  • Passed away in 2011 at age 69 due to complications from heart surgery
    • Survived by his wife, Jaleesa, and their four children, Yakub, Jalal, Rasheed and Khalil

Walt Hazzard Coaching Tree

  • coming soon