A Grizzlies icon once described as a "living, breathing scouting computer" who was "disguised in the package of a short, jolly Italian man" died Tuesday. Tony Barone Sr. was 72. Barone's 11-year run with the Grizzlies ended in 2012. He began and ended his time with the franchise as director of player personnel.

In between, the Chicago native and former Texas A&M head coach worked as an assistant coach and interim head coach for the Grizzlies. Barone played at Duke in the 1960s and coached in the high school ranks before taking an assistant job at Duke and climbing the coaching ladder. The Grizzlies acknowledged Barone's death and impact on the franchise in a statement Wednesday.