Dale Brown, the soldier who found Shaq, dies at 90

Dale Brown, the longtime Louisiana State University basketball coach, died on Friday, October 23, at the age of 90. Brown is best known for identifying and developing Shaquille O'Neal, a player who would become one of the most famous athletes in American history.

The two men first met in 1984 at a military base in West Germany. Brown was conducting a basketball clinic when O'Neal, then 13 years old and standing 6 feet, 9 inches tall, approached him for advice. Brown initially mistook the teenager for a soldier, asking how long he had served in the Army. Upon learning the young man was only 13, Brown recognized his potential and began mailing him letters and specific basketball exercises. This correspondence continued as O'Neal developed into a top high school prospect, eventually leading to his recruitment to LSU, where he played from 1989 to 1992.

During his time in Baton Rouge, O'Neal earned two-time consensus All-American honors and twice won the SEC Player of the Year award. He was selected as the No. 1 overall pick in the 1992 NBA draft. The relationship between the coach and player extended well beyond the court. In a 1999 letter published by LSU Athletics, O'Neal wrote, "You are the only college coach I ever had, and the only one I ever wanted." Brown remained a central figure in O'Neal's life, attending his first NBA championship celebration with the Los Angeles Lakers in 2000. That same year, O'Neal returned to LSU to complete his college degree, fulfilling a promise he had made to Brown and his family.

Their bond was documented in the 2015 ESPN documentary "Shaq & Dale." Directed by Hannah Storm and narrated by Tim McGraw, the film traced their history from West Germany through O'Neal's professional career. LSU stated that the two maintained regular contact through letters and emails for decades. O'Neal described Brown as a father figure, leader, and motivator in a 2015 interview with Esquire.

Brown's passing came just days after a professional recognition. 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 to congratulate his former coach. The award ceremony is scheduled for April 2027.