Dale Brown Dies at 90 After Recruit 13-Year-Old Shaquille O'Neal

Dale Brown died on Friday, Oct. 23, at age 90. The former Louisiana State University basketball coach is best known for identifying a 13-year-old Shaquille O'Neal during a clinic in West Germany in 1984.

Brown was running a session at a military base when O'Neal approached him for advice. The teenager stood 6 feet, 9 inches tall. Brown initially assumed O'Neal was a soldier and asked how long he had served in the Army. After O'Neal revealed his age, Brown began sending him letters and basketball exercises. That correspondence continued until O'Neal committed to play for LSU.

O'Neal played for the Tigers from 1989 to 1992. He earned two consensus All-American honors and won the SEC Player of the Year award twice. He was selected as the No. 1 overall pick in the 1992 NBA draft. O'Neal later returned to Baton Rouge in 2000 to complete his college degree.

In a 1999 letter published by LSU Athletics, O'Neal wrote that Brown was the only college coach he ever had and the only one he ever wanted. In a 2015 Esquire interview, O'Neal described Brown as a father figure, leader, and motivator. The two maintained regular contact through letters and emails for decades after O'Neal's departure from the team.

ESPN released a documentary titled Shaq & Dale in 2015. Directed by Hannah Storm and narrated by Tim McGraw, the film traced their relationship from Germany through O'Neal's professional career. O'Neal was present to celebrate Brown's first NBA championship with the Los Angeles Lakers in 2000.

Two days before Brown's death, LSU announced he would receive the John R. Wooden Legends of Coaching Award in 2027. O'Neal recorded a video message to congratulate him on the selection. Brown was scheduled to accept the award in April 2027.