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View Full Version : Former Pistons Player/Coach Donnie Butcher Dies at 76



trsent
10-09-2012, 03:21 PM
Former Detroit Pistons player and coach Donnie Butcher died October 8th at the age of 76, according to his son, Denny, a basketball coach in Hartland.

Butcher was traded from the New York Knicks to the Pistons on Dec. 16, 1963, as part of a three-team, four-player deal. He would play with Detroit until 1966. During the '66-'67 season, he was named the Pistons' head coach, replacing player-coach Dave DeBusschere.

Butcher posted a 52-60 record over three seasons, leading the Pistons to a playoff berth in 1968.

Butcher was born and raised in Williamsport, Ky., and played college basketball at Pikeville College.