Harter, former Pacers Assistant Coach, dies at 81

Dick Harter, former Pacers assistant coach, died of cancer Monday night at his home in Hilton Head, S.C. He was 81.

Harter served as a Pacers assistant coach under Hall of Fame coach Jack Ramsey, as well on both Larry Bird and Jim O'Brien's coaching staffs.

He also served with Chuck Daly at Detroit, Pat Riley with the New York Knicks and P.J. Carlesimo in Portland. In 1988, Harter became the first head coach of the expansion Charlotte Hornets and was with the team until 1990.

Prior to entering the NBA in 1983 with Daly and the Pistons, Harter was the head coach at Rider (N.J.) University, the University of Pennsylvania and the University of Oregon.

Harter is a member of the Big Five Hall of Fame in Philadelphia, the University of Oregon Hall of Fame and the State of Pennsylvania (Pottstown Chapter) Hall of Fame.

Reactions from around the league:

RIP to Dick Harter 1930-2012. #NBA (great man/coach & defensive guru) #IndyPacers

— JALEN ROSE (@jalenrose) March 13, 2012

Very sad news about my former asst. coach Dick Harter. Will never forget him diving on the floor in a loose ball drill in his late sixties!

— Austin Croshere (@AustinCroshere) March 13, 2012

Sad lost today. R.I.P " Dick Harter "Good man & great Ast. Coach with Pacers

— TJ Ford (@tj_ford) March 13, 2012

Dick Harter was one of my favorite coaches of all time!!! He will be missed!!! Love ya coach!

— Greg Anthony (@GregAnthony50) March 13, 2012

Dock Harter R.I.P. it was honor to have worked with you.

— Billy King (@bkdefend) March 13, 2012

Sad news to learn Dick Harter died today. Enjoyed many a morning coffee w/ him on road w/ the @Pacers. Loved talking life and basketball.

— Chris Denari (@ChrisDenari) March 13, 2012

Sad news from South Carolina about Dick Harter. Spent a lot of time with Dick over the years and will miss him.

— Mark Boyle (@Mark_J_Boyle) March 13, 2012