List of current National Basketball Association head coaches

The National Basketball Association (NBA) is a major professional basketball league in North America. The league was founded in 1946 as the Basketball Association of America (BAA).[1] The league adopted its current name at the start of the 1949–1950 season when it merged with the National Basketball League (NBL).[2] The league consists of 30 teams, of which 29 are located in the United States and one in Canada. In the NBA, a head coach is the highest ranking coach of a coaching staff. Head coaches typically hold a more public profile and are paid more than the assistant coaches. Currently there are 30 head coaches who are serving for the 30 NBA teams. The list includes the date of hiring and the performance record of each coach.

Gregg Popovich has served as the San Antonio Spurs head coach for more than 14 seasons, longer than any other current head coach. Popovich has also coached the most games (1,180), won the most games (797), and lost the most games (383) among active coaches with their current team. None of the other active coaches has served more than seven seasons for his current team. Denver Nuggets head coach George Karl is the most experienced head coach. He has been the head coach of five different teams during his 23-season head coaching career. He has coached the most games (1,739), won the most games (1,036) and lost the most games (703) among active coaches in their entire coaching careers. None of the active head coaches have been inducted to the Basketball Hall of Fame as a coach.[3]

All active coaches are American. New York Knicks head coach Mike D'Antoni holds both American and Italian citizenship. Seven coaches have spent their entire head coaching careers with their current teams: Scott Brooks with the Oklahoma City Thunder, Larry Drew with the Atlanta Hawks, Lionel Hollins with the Memphis Grizzlies, Gregg Popovich with the San Antonio Spurs, Erik Spoelstra with the Miami Heat, Tom Thibodeau with the Chicago Bulls, and Monty Williams with the New Orleans Hornets.

After the 2010–11 season, Rick Adelman, Phil Jackson, John Kuester, Kurt Rambis, Keith Smart and Jay Triano left their head coaching positions with the Houston Rockets, the Los Angeles Lakers, the Detroit Pistons, the Minnesota Timberwolves, the Golden State Warriors and the Toronto Raptors respectively. On June 1, 2011, Mike Brown and Kevin McHale were hired by the Lakers and the Rockets respectively. On June 6, 2011, Mark Jackson was hired by the Warriors. Jackson is on his first NBA head coaching job. On June 21, 2011, Dwane Casey was hired by the Raptors. On August 3, 2011, Lawrence Frank was hired by the Pistons. On September 28, 2011, Rick Adelman was hired by the Timberwolves.

Contents

Key

GC Games coached
W Wins
L Losses
Win% Winning percentage
* Elected to the Basketball Hall of Fame as a coach

Coaches

Note: Statistics are correct through July 12, 2011.

Head coach Team Division Conference Start date[a] GC W L Win% GC W L Win% Ref.
Current[b] Career[c]
Drew, LarryLarry Drew Atlanta Hawks Southeast Eastern 02010-06-13 June 13, 2010 82 44 38 .537 82 44 38 .537 [4][5]
Rivers, DocDoc Rivers Boston Celtics Atlantic Eastern 02004-04-29 April 29, 2004 574 336 238 .585 913 507 406 .555 [6][7]
Silas, PaulPaul Silas Charlotte Bobcats Southeast Eastern 02010-12-22 December 22, 2010 54 25 29 .463 809 380 429 .470 [8][9]
Thibodeau, TomTom Thibodeau Chicago Bulls Central Eastern 02010-06-23 June 23, 2010 82 62 20 .756 82 62 20 .756 [10][11]
Scott, ByronByron Scott Cleveland Cavaliers Central Eastern 02010-07-01 July 1, 2010 82 19 63 .232 789 371 418 .470 [12][13]
Carlisle, RickRick Carlisle Dallas Mavericks Southwest Western 02008-05-09 May 9, 2008 246 162 84 .659 738 443 295 .600 [14][15]
Karl, GeorgeGeorge Karl Denver Nuggets Northwest Western 02005-01-27 January 27, 2005 532 328 204 .617 1,739 1,036 703 .596 [16][17]
Frank, LawrenceLawrence Frank Detroit Pistons Central Eastern 02011-08-03 August 3, 2011 0 0 0 .000 466 225 241 .483 [18][19]
Jackson, MarkMark Jackson Golden State Warriors Pacific Western 02011-06-06 June 6, 2011 0 0 0 .000 0 0 0 .000 [20]
McHale, KevinKevin McHale Houston Rockets Southwest Western 02011-06-01 June 1, 2011 0 0 0 .000 94 39 55 .415 [21][22]
Vogel, FrankFrank Vogel Indiana Pacers Central Eastern 02011-01-30 January 30, 2011 38 20 18 .526 38 20 18 .526 [23][24]
Del Negro, VinnyVinny Del Negro Los Angeles Clippers Pacific Western 02010-07-07 July 7, 2010 82 32 50 .390 246 114 132 .463 [25][26]
Brown, MikeMike Brown Los Angeles Lakers Pacific Western 02011-05-31 May 31, 2011 0 0 0 .000 410 272 138 .663 [27][28]
Hollins, LionelLionel Hollins Memphis Grizzlies Southwest Western 02009-01-25 January 25, 2009 203[d] 99 104 .488 267 117 150 .438 [29][30]
Spoelstra, ErikErik Spoelstra Miami Heat Southeast Eastern 02008-04-28 April 28, 2008 246 148 98 .602 246 148 98 .602 [31][32]
Skiles, ScottScott Skiles Milwaukee Bucks Central Eastern 02008-04-21 April 21, 2008 246 115 131 .467 778 396 382 .509 [33][34]
Adelman, RickRick Adelman Minnesota Timberwolves Northwest Western 02011-09-28 September 28, 2011 0 0 0 .000 1,561 945 616 .605 [35][36]
Johnson, AveryAvery Johnson New Jersey Nets Atlantic Eastern 02010-06-10 June 10, 2010 82 24 58 .293 346 218 128 .630 [37][38]
Williams, MontyMonty Williams New Orleans Hornets Southwest Western 02010-06-07 June 7, 2010 82 46 36 .561 82 46 36 .561 [39][40]
D'Antoni, MikeMike D'Antoni New York Knicks Atlantic Eastern 02008-05-13 May 13, 2008 246 103 143 .419 685 370 315 .540 [41][42]
Brooks, ScottScott Brooks Oklahoma City Thunder Northwest Western 02008-11-22 November 22, 2008 233 127 106 .545 233 127 106 .545 [43][44]
Van Gundy, StanStan Van Gundy Orlando Magic Southeast Eastern 02007-06-07 June 7, 2007 328 222 106 .677 513 334 179 .651 [45][46]
Collins, DougDoug Collins Philadelphia 76ers Atlantic Eastern 02010-05-21 May 21, 2010 82 41 41 .500 701 373 328 .532 [47][48]
Gentry, AlvinAlvin Gentry Phoenix Suns Pacific Western 02009-02-16 February 16, 2009 195 112 83 .574 598 289 309 .483 [49][50]
McMillan, NateNate McMillan Portland Trail Blazers Northwest Western 02005-07-07 July 7, 2005 492 246 246 .500 887 458 429 .516 [51][52]
Westphal, PaulPaul Westphal Sacramento Kings Pacific Western 02009-06-12 June 12, 2009 164 49 115 .299 590 316 274 .536 [53][54]
Popovich, GreggGregg Popovich San Antonio Spurs Southwest Western 01996-12-10 December 10, 1996 1,180 797 383 .675 1,180 797 383 .675 [55][56]
Casey, DwaneDwane Casey Toronto Raptors Atlantic Eastern 02011-06-21 June 21, 2011 0 0 0 .000 122 53 69 .434 [57][58]
Corbin, TyroneTyrone Corbin Utah Jazz Northwest Western 02011-02-10 February 10, 2011 28 8 20 .286 28 8 20 .286 [59][60]
Saunders, FlipFlip Saunders Washington Wizards Southeast Eastern 02009-04-22 April 22, 2009 164 49 115 .299 1,147 636 511 .554 [61][62]

Notes

  • a Start date of current term at the team; each date is linked to an article about that particular NBA season.
  • b Coaching records from the current term with the team; coaching records from previous term with the team are not included.
  • c Career coaching records in the NBA; records in the American Basketball Association (ABA) are not included.
  • d Current record does not include a 18–42 record Hollins compiled with the Vancouver Grizzlies from 1999 to 2000 and a 4–0 record with the Memphis Grizzlies in 2004.

References

General
Specific
  1. ^ Goldaper, Sam. "The First Game". NBA.com. Turner Sports Interactive, Inc. http://www.nba.com/history/firstgame_feature.html. Retrieved May 25, 2010. 
  2. ^ "1949–50 Season Overview: Powerful Lakers Repeat". NBA.com. Turner Sports Interactive, Inc. http://www.nba.com/history/season/19491950.html. Retrieved August 12, 2010. 
  3. ^ "Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame Inductees". basketball-reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. http://www.basketball-reference.com/awards/hof.html. Retrieved May 21, 2010. 
  4. ^ "Larry Drew Named Atlanta Hawks Head Coach". NBA.com. Turner Sports Interactive, Inc. June 13, 2010. http://www.nba.com/hawks/news/Larry_Drew_Release.html. Retrieved June 13, 2010. 
  5. ^ "Larry Drew Coaching Record". basketball-reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. http://www.basketball-reference.com/coaches/drewla01c.html. Retrieved May 28, 2011. 
  6. ^ "Boston Celtics Name Glenn "Doc" Rivers Head Coach". NBA.com. Turner Sports Interactive, Inc. April 29, 2004. http://www.nba.com/celtics/news/042904_CelticsAnnounceDocRivers.html. Retrieved May 21, 2010. 
  7. ^ "Doc Rivers Coaching Record". basketball-reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. http://www.basketball-reference.com/coaches/riverdo01c.html. Retrieved May 28, 2011. 
  8. ^ "Paul Silas Named Interim Head Coach of Bobcats". NBA.com. Turner Sports Interactive, Inc. December 22, 2010. http://www.nba.com/bobcats/release_silas_101222.html. Retrieved December 23, 2010. 
  9. ^ "Paul Silas Coaching Record". basketball-reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. http://www.basketball-reference.com/coaches/silaspa01c.html. Retrieved May 28, 2011. 
  10. ^ "Thibodeau named 18th head coach in franchise history". NBA.com. Turner Sports Interactive, Inc. June 23, 2010. http://www.nba.com/bulls/news/thibodeau_hired_100623.html. Retrieved June 23, 2010. 
  11. ^ "Tom Thibodeau Coaching Record". basketball-reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. http://www.basketball-reference.com/coaches/thiboto99c.html. Retrieved May 28, 2011. 
  12. ^ "NBA Veteran Byron Scott Named Head Coach of Cleveland Cavaliers". NBA.com. Turner Sports Interactive, Inc. July 1, 2010. http://www.nba.com/cavaliers/news/scott_100701.html. Retrieved July 2, 2010. 
  13. ^ "Byron Scott Coaching Record". basketball-reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. July 1, 2010. http://www.basketball-reference.com/coaches/scottby01c.html. Retrieved May 28, 2011. 
  14. ^ "Official release: Rick Carlisle named coach". NBA.com. Turner Sports Interactive, Inc. May 9, 2008. http://www.nba.com/mavericks/news/Carlisle_signs051008.html. Retrieved May 21, 2010. 
  15. ^ "Rick Carlisle Coaching Record". basketball-reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. http://www.basketball-reference.com/coaches/carliri01c.html. Retrieved May 28, 2011. 
  16. ^ "Nuggets Name George Karl Head Coach". NBA.com. Turner Sports Interactive, Inc. January 27, 2005. http://www.nba.com/nuggets/news/karl_named_nuggets_coach.html. Retrieved May 21, 2010. 
  17. ^ "George Karl Coaching Record". basketball-reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. http://www.basketball-reference.com/coaches/karlge01c.html. Retrieved May 28, 2011. 
  18. ^ "Lawrence Frank Coaching Record". basketball-reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. http://www.basketball-reference.com/coaches/frankla99c.html. Retrieved August 4, 2011. 
  19. ^ "Pistons introduce Frank as new head coach". NBA.com. Turner Sports Interactive, Inc. August 3, 2011. http://www.nba.com/2011/news/08/03/pistons-hire-frank.ap/index.html. Retrieved August 4, 2011. 
  20. ^ "Warriors Name Mark Jackson Head Coach". NBA.com. Turner Sports Interactive, Inc. June 6, 2011. http://www.nba.com/warriors/news/warriors_name_mark_jackson_head_coach_060611.html. Retrieved June 6, 2011. 
  21. ^ "Kevin McHale Coaching Record". basketball-reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. http://www.basketball-reference.com/coaches/mchalke01c.html. Retrieved June 1, 2011. 
  22. ^ "Kevin McHale Named Rockets Head Coach". NBA.com. Turner Sports Interactive, Inc. June 1, 2011. http://www.nba.com/rockets/news/kevin_mchale_named_rockets_hea_2011_06_01.html. Retrieved June 1, 2011. 
  23. ^ "Pacers relieve O'Brien of coaching duties". NBA.com. Turner Sports Interactive, Inc. January 30, 2011. http://www.nba.com/pacers/news/obrien_release_110130.html. Retrieved January 30, 2011. 
  24. ^ "Frank Vogel Coaching Record". basketball-reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. http://www.basketball-reference.com/coaches/vogelfr99c.html. Retrieved May 28, 2011. 
  25. ^ "Del Negro Introduced as Clippers Head Coach". NBA.com. Turner Sports Interactive, Inc. July 7, 2010. http://www.nba.com/clippers/news/delnegro_100707.html. Retrieved July 8, 2010. 
  26. ^ "Vinny Del Negro Coaching Record". basketball-reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. http://www.basketball-reference.com/coaches/delnevi01c.html. Retrieved May 28, 2011. 
  27. ^ "Mike Brown Coaching Record". basketball-reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. http://www.basketball-reference.com/coaches/brownmi99c.html. Retrieved May 28, 2011. 
  28. ^ Trudell, Mike (June 1, 2011). "Mike Brown Becomes 22nd Head Coach in Lakers History". NBA.com. Turner Sports Interactive, Inc. http://www.nba.com/lakers/news/110531lakers_hire_mikebrown.html. Retrieved June 1, 2011. 
  29. ^ "Grizzlies name Lionel Hollins Head Coach". NBA.com. Turner Sports Interactive, Inc. January 25, 2009. http://www.nba.com/grizzlies/news/lionel_hollins_named_head_coach-90125.html. Retrieved May 21, 2010. 
  30. ^ "Lionel Hollins Coaching Record". basketball-reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. http://www.basketball-reference.com/coaches/hollili01c.html. Retrieved May 28, 2011. 
  31. ^ "Riley Steps Down, Spoelstra Named Head Coach". NBA.com. Turner Sports Interactive, Inc. April 28, 2008. http://www.nba.com/heat/news/riley_spoelstra_080428.html. Retrieved May 21, 2010. 
  32. ^ "Erik Spoelstra Coaching Record". basketball-reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. http://www.basketball-reference.com/coaches/spoeler99c.html. Retrieved May 28, 2011. 
  33. ^ "Bucks name Scott Skiles head coach". NBA.com. Turner Sports Interactive, Inc. April 21, 2008. http://www.nba.com/bucks/news/coach_hired_080421.html. Retrieved May 21, 2010. 
  34. ^ "Scott Skiles Coaching Record". basketball-reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. http://www.basketball-reference.com/coaches/skilesc01c.html. Retrieved May 28, 2011. 
  35. ^ "Rick Adelman looks to rebuild Wolves". ESPN.com. ESPN Internet Ventures. September 28, 2011. http://espn.go.com/nba/story/_/id/7032367/. Retrieved September 28, 2011. 
  36. ^ "Rick Adelman Coaching Record". basketball-reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. http://www.basketball-reference.com/coaches/adelmri01c.html. Retrieved September 14, 2011. 
  37. ^ "Nets Reach Agreement with Avery Johnson to Become Coach". NBA.com. Turner Sports Interactive, Inc. June 10, 2010. http://www.nba.com/nets/news/Johnson_Coach_Release_100610.html. Retrieved June 11, 2010. 
  38. ^ "Avery Johnson Coaching Record". basketball-reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. http://www.basketball-reference.com/coaches/johnsav01c.html. Retrieved May 28, 2011. 
  39. ^ "Monty Williams Named New Orleans Hornets Head Coach". NBA.com. Turner Sports Interactive, Inc. June 7, 2010. http://www.nba.com/hornets/news/monty_williams_named_new_orlea_2010_06_07.html. Retrieved June 8, 2010. 
  40. ^ "Monty Williams Coaching Record". basketball-reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. http://www.basketball-reference.com/coaches/willimo01c.html. Retrieved May 28, 2011. 
  41. ^ "Knicks Name Mike D’Antoni Head Coach". NBA.com. Turner Sports Interactive, Inc. May 13, 2008. http://www.nba.com/knicks/news/dantonirelease.html. Retrieved May 21, 2010. 
  42. ^ "Mike D'Antoni Coaching Record". basketball-reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. http://www.basketball-reference.com/coaches/dantomi01c.html. Retrieved May 28, 2011. 
  43. ^ "Thunder fire Carlesimo; Brooks named interim coach". NBA.com. Turner Sports Interactive, Inc. November 22, 2008. http://www.nba.com/2008/news/11/22/thunder.carlesimo.ap/index.html. Retrieved May 21, 2010. 
  44. ^ "Scott Brooks Coaching Record". basketball-reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. http://www.basketball-reference.com/coaches/brooksc01c.html. Retrieved May 28, 2011. 
  45. ^ "Magic Name Stan Van Gundy Head Coach". NBA.com. Turner Sports Interactive, Inc. June 7, 2007. http://www.nba.com/magic/news/Magic_Name_Stan_Van_Gundy_Head-227748-800.html. Retrieved May 21, 2010. 
  46. ^ "Stan Van Gundy Coaching Record". basketball-reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. http://www.basketball-reference.com/coaches/vangust99c.html. Retrieved May 28, 2011. 
  47. ^ "Philadelphia 76ers Name Doug Collins Head Coach". NBA.com. Turner Sports Interactive, Inc. May 21, 2010. http://www.nba.com/sixers/news/100521_collins.html. Retrieved May 21, 2010. 
  48. ^ "Doug Collins Coaching Record". basketball-reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. http://www.basketball-reference.com/coaches/collido01c.html. Retrieved May 28, 2011. 
  49. ^ "Alvin Gentry Named Interim Head Coach by the Suns". NBA.com. Turner Sports Interactive, Inc. February 16, 2009. http://www.nba.com/suns/news/gentry_feature_090216.html. Retrieved May 21, 2010. 
  50. ^ "Alvin Gentry Coaching Record". basketball-reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. http://www.basketball-reference.com/coaches/gentral99c.html. Retrieved May 28, 2011. 
  51. ^ "Team Introduces Nate McMillan as New Head Coach". NBA.com. Turner Sports Interactive, Inc. July 7, 2005. http://www.nba.com/blazers/news/Trail_Blazers_Breaking_News-146169-41.html. Retrieved May 21, 2010. 
  52. ^ "Nate McMillan Coaching Record". basketball-reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. http://www.basketball-reference.com/coaches/mcmilna01c.html. Retrieved May 28, 2011. 
  53. ^ "Kings Name Paul Westphal As Team's Head Coach". NBA.com. Turner Sports Interactive, Inc. June 12, 2009. http://www.nba.com/kings/news/release_westphal_061209.html. Retrieved May 21, 2010. 
  54. ^ "Paul Westphal Coaching Record". basketball-reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. http://www.basketball-reference.com/coaches/westppa01c.html. Retrieved May 28, 2011. 
  55. ^ "Star Center, New Coach Cannot Help the Spurs". The New York Times. The New York Times Company. December 11, 1996. http://www.nytimes.com/1996/12/11/sports/star-center-new-coach-cannot-help-the-spurs.html. Retrieved May 21, 2010. 
  56. ^ "Gregg Popovich Coaching Record". basketball-reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. http://www.basketball-reference.com/coaches/popovgr99c.html. Retrieved May 28, 2011. 
  57. ^ "Raptors Name Dwane Casey Head Coach". NBA.com. Turner Sports Interactive, Inc. June 21, 2011. http://www.nba.com/raptors/news/20110621/18351/raptors-name-dwane-casey-head-coach. Retrieved June 21, 2011. 
  58. ^ "Dwane Casey Coaching Record". basketball-reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. http://www.basketball-reference.com/coaches/caseydw99c.html. Retrieved June 21, 2011. 
  59. ^ "Jazz Head Coach Jerry Sloan Announces Resignation". NBA.com. Turner Sports Interactive, Inc. February 10, 2011. http://www.nba.com/jazz/news/021011_jerrysloanphiljohnson.html. Retrieved February 11, 2011. 
  60. ^ "Tyrone Corbin Coaching Record". basketball-reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. http://www.basketball-reference.com/coaches/corbity01c.html. Retrieved May 28, 2011. 
  61. ^ "Wizards Name Saunders Head Coach". NBA.com. Turner Sports Interactive, Inc. April 22, 2009. http://www.nba.com/wizards/news/saunders_090422.html. Retrieved May 21, 2010. 
  62. ^ "Flip Saunders Coaching Record". basketball-reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. http://www.basketball-reference.com/coaches/saundfl99c.html. Retrieved May 28, 2011. 

See also

Eastern Conference
Atlantic

Doc Rivers (Boston Celtics)
Avery Johnson (New Jersey Nets)
Mike D'Antoni (New York Knicks)
Doug Collins (Philadelphia 76ers)
Dwane Casey (Toronto Raptors)

 Central

Tom Thibodeau (Chicago Bulls)
Byron Scott (Cleveland Cavaliers)
Lawrence Frank (Detroit Pistons)
Frank Vogel (Indiana Pacers)
Scott Skiles (Milwaukee Bucks)

 Southeast

Larry Drew (Atlanta Hawks)
Paul Silas (Charlotte Bobcats)
Erik Spoelstra (Miami Heat)
Stan Van Gundy (Orlando Magic)
Flip Saunders (Washington Wizards)
Western Conference
Southwest

Rick Carlisle (Dallas Mavericks)
Kevin McHale (Houston Rockets)
Lionel Hollins (Memphis Grizzlies)
Monty Williams (New Orleans Hornets)
Gregg Popovich (San Antonio Spurs)

 Northwest

George Karl (Denver Nuggets)
Rick Adelman (Minnesota Timberwolves)
Scott Brooks (Oklahoma City Thunder)
Nate McMillan (Portland Trail Blazers)
Tyrone Corbin (Utah Jazz)

 Pacific

Mark Jackson (Golden State Warriors)
Vinny Del Negro (Los Angeles Clippers)
Mike Brown (Los Angeles Lakers)
Alvin Gentry (Phoenix Suns)
Paul Westphal (Sacramento Kings)
Category · Basketball Portal · 2011–2012 season