Scotty Robertson, the first head coach in the history of the Jazz, died Thursday in Ruston, La., after a long battle with cancer.

He was 81.

Robertson lasted 15 games as the head coach of the expansion New Orleans Jazz, who opened their inaugural season of 1974-75 season with 11 straight losses. The Jazz got the first win in franchise history on Nov. 10, 1974, when Pete Maravich scored 30 points in a 102-101 victory over Portland. Just six days later, however, Robertson was fired. His dismissal came after a 130-104 loss dropped the Jazz's record to 1-14.

Robertson was replaced for one game by interim coach Elgin Baylor. Bill van Breda Kolff became the permanent replacement and went 22-44, meaning New Orleans finished 23-59 in its first season.

Robertson coached at Louisiana Tech from 1964-74. He compiled a record of 165-86 before going to the NBA.

After leaving the Jazz, Robertson became head coach of the Chicago Bulls (1978-79) and Detroit Pistons (1980-83).

He was also an assistant in Indiana, San Antonio, Phoenix and Miami.

The Associated Press contributed to this story.