Former Pistons Coach Saunders Dies

Former Detroit Pistons head coach, Flip Saunders, lost his battle with cancer Oct. 25, passing away at 60 years old, according to a report on ESPN.com.

Saunders led the Pistons to three consecutive Eastern Conference finals during his three years as head coach of the team, from 2005-08.

“It is with tremendous sorrow that the Detroit Pistons organization acknowledges the passing of Flip Saunders,” the team said in a statement. “He will be remembered by Pistons fans as one of the franchise’s most successful head coaches - leading the club to three consecutive Eastern Conference Finals appearances and a franchise-record 64 wins in 2005-06. Flip was a great ambassador for the Metro Detroit community and had a positive influence on those who had the opportunity to spend time with him. We send our heartfelt condolences to his wife, Debbie, his children Ryan, Mindy, Rachel, Kimberly and all his friends throughout the extended Detroit Pistons and NBA family.”

His stint with the Pistons was far from his only experience in the NBA.

Saunders also coached the Minnesota Timberwolves and the Washington Wizards during his 17 year career as a head coach.

Saunders, who was currently serving as the Timberwolves president and general manager, announced in August he was being treated for Hodgkin lymphoma. A condition doctors called ”very treatable and curable.”

A setback in September, however, prompted Saunders to announce recently he would be missing the entire 2015-2016 season.

Former and current players and coaches and have flooded social media with condolences for the Saunders and his family.

Among these players is ESPN analyst and former Pistons point guard, Chauncey Billups, who spoke to ESPN about his former coach. Billups was an integral part of the team’s conference finals runs under Saunders.