Michael Harold Schuler (September 22, 1940 – June 28, 2022) was an American basketball coach in both college and the National Basketball Association (NBA). He was the head coach of the Portland Trail Blazers and Los Angeles Clippers from 1986 to 1992 and compiled a win–loss record of 179–159. He won the NBA Coach of the Year Award in 1987, becoming the second rookie coach to be conferred the honor. Early life Schuler was born in Portsmouth, Ohio, on September 22, 1940. He attended Portsmouth High School in his hometown. He was then awarded a NCAA Division I scholarship to study at Ohio University, where he played for the Ohio Bobcats and won two Mid-American Conference championships with the team. He graduated in 1962. Coaching career College Schuler started his coaching career in 1965, working as an assistant for the Army Black Knights. He then went back to Ohio, his alma mater, and was an assistant coach there for three seasons. He subsequently joined the Virginia Military Institute as its head coach in 1969. During his three seasons with the Keydets, the team recorded a .171 winning percentage (13–63). After a four-season stint as an assistant at the University of Virginia, Schuler became head coach of the Rice Owls in 1977. He served in that capacity until 1981, compiling a .283 winning percentage (30–76) during his tenure there. Professional Schuler garnered his first professional coaching position in 1981 as an assistant of the New Jersey Nets. He worked in that role for two seasons, before becoming an assistant coach of the Milwaukee Bucks from 1983 to 1986. He was subsequently hired as head coach of the Portland Trail Blazers. One incident he was remembered for occurred at the first press conference that introduced him as the coach of the Trail Blazers, when he fell out of his chair. The footage was seen often on American television in the following days, and Schuler termed it "my instant claim to fame". During his first season as coach of the Blazers, Schuler led the franchise to a 49–33 record. He was first named NBA Coach of the Month in February 1987, before winning the NBA Coach of the Year Award later that year. He was the second rookie coach to receive the latter award, and one of only five to achieve the feat at the time of his death. He followed that up