(Editor's Note--some information in release updated from a report in Las Vegas Review-Journal and UNLV athletics)

Dan Ayala, who coached the last Pasadena City College men's basketball state champion team in 1969, passed away Monday due to complications from a heart condition. He was 82. Ayala succeeded the legendary Jerry Tarkanian as PCC head coach and won the state title in his debut Lancers season. 

Ayala coached PCC for three seasons (1968-1971), compiling a 70-21 record (.769 winning percentage). In the '68-69 season, he directed team scoring leader and future PCC Sports Hall of Fame player George Trapp as he helped the Lancers win the Metropolitan Conference title and then the state crown behind a 27-5 overall record. PCC defeated Imperial Valley, 68-52, in the championship game at Fresno's Selland Arena. Trapp was named MVP of the state tourney and later went on to play in the NBA. Teammate Steve Rostker also was named to the All-State Tourney team.

It was an amazing third straight state final for PCC as it won the state title in 1967 and lost the '68 final in triple overtime v. Cerritos, both years under Tarkanian. Ayala continued that period of success the following season to return the state trophy back to PCC.

Ayala moved on from PCC to become head coach for two seasons at Cal Poly Pomona, posting a 27-22 overall record from 1971-1973. From 1975-1980, Ayala was a highly succesful head coach of the women's basketball team at the University of Nevada-Las Vegas. In his five seasons, he totaled a sparkling 109-23 winning record (.827) and guided the Lady Rebels to four straight appearances in the AIAW Regionals.

Prior to PCC, he also coached at Mt. San Jacinto College men's basketball for three seasons compiling a 57-18 mark. His combined record in men's/women's college basketball was 263-84, an outstanding .758 winning percentage. He also served as an assistant coach to Tarkanian on the UNLV men's side in 1973-75.

Ayala made Las Vegas his home even after his retirement from coaching.