List of NBA head coaches with 400 games coached
The National Basketball Association (NBA) is a major professional basketball league in North America. It was founded in 1946 as the Basketball Association of America (BAA).[1] The league adopted its current name at the start of the 1949–50 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. They typically hold a more public profile and are paid more than the assistant coaches. Lenny Wilkens has coached the most regular season games. He has coached 2,487 games with six teams in 32 seasons. Gregg Popovich has won the most regular season games with 1,388. Don Nelson, Bill Fitch, Jerry Sloan and Larry Brown are the only other coaches who have coached more than 2,000 regular season games. 33 other head coaches have coached more than 1,000 regular season games. Three of those coaches, Popovich, Al Attles and Erik Spoelstra, have spent their entire coaching career with one team. Popovich has coached 2,209 regular season games with the San Antonio Spurs in his 28-year career, Attles has coached 1,075 regular season games with the Warriors franchise in his 14-year career, and Spoelstra has coached 1,230 regular season games with the Miami Heat in his 16-year career.
As of April 14, 2024, Popovich has the most regular season games coached (2,209) with one team, during his 28-year career with the San Antonio Spurs. He also has the record of most game wins when combining regular season and postseason games with 1,558 wins. Larry Brown has coached 9 different teams, the highest number of teams coached among the head coaches.[3]
Former Chicago Bulls and Los Angeles Lakers head coach Phil Jackson won 11 NBA championships, the most in NBA history. He is the only coach who has won multiple championships with multiple teams. He won six titles with the Bulls and five titles with the Lakers. He also leads the NBA for the most postseason games coached and the most postseason wins. Red Auerbach won nine championships with the Boston Celtics. He won his first title in 1957 before winning eight consecutive titles from 1959 to 1966. John Kundla, Pat Riley and current Spurs head coach Popovich have each won five championships. Popovich won all of his titles coaching the Spurs as Kundla won all of his titles with the Lakers, while Riley won four titles with the Lakers and one with the Miami Heat. Nelson, Popovich and Riley each won the Coach of the Year Award three times, while Fitch, Hubie Brown, Mike Budenholzer, Mike D'Antoni, Cotton Fitzsimmons, Gene Shue and Tom Thibodeau have each won it twice. 27 NBA head coaches (Rick Adelman, Red Auerbach, Larry Brown, John Calipari, Chuck Daly, Bill Fitch, Cotton Fitzsimmons, Alex Hannum, Tom Heinsohn, Red Holzman, Phil Jackson, Alvin Julian, John Kundla, Bobby Leonard, Ken Loeffler, Frank McGuire, Don Nelson, Rick Pitino, Gregg Popovich, Jack Ramsay, Pat Riley, Bill Russell, Bill Sharman, Jerry Sloan, Jerry Tarkanian, Rudy Tomjanovich and Lenny Wilkens) have earned induction into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame as a coach.[4][5] Auerbach, Daly, Fitch, Holzman, Jackson, Kundla, Nelson, Ramsay, Riley and Wilkens were named in the list of Top 10 Coaches in NBA History announced at the league's 50th anniversary in 1996.[6] Larry Brown, Popovich, Sloan, Spoelstra, K. C. Jones, Steve Kerr, and Doc Rivers joined Auerbach, Daly, Holzman, Jackson, Nelson, Ramsay, Riley and Wilkens on the updated list of 15 Greatest Coaches in NBA History, announced during the league's 75th anniversary in 2021.[7]
This list includes all head coaches who have coached at least 400 games in the NBA or BAA. The list does not include games in the American Basketball Association (ABA) for head coaches who coached in the ABA prior to the ABA–NBA merger.
Key
[edit]Yrs | Number of years coached |
GC | Games coached |
W | Wins |
L | Losses |
Win% | Winning percentage |
^ | Denotes coach who is currently coaching an NBA team |
* | Elected to the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame as a coach |
* | Elected to the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame as a contributor |
*^ | Active NBA coach who has been elected to the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame |
List
[edit]Note: Statistics are correct through the end of the 2023–24 NBA season.
Playoff series
[edit]Below is a list of the most playoff series by a coach (minimum 20 or more playoff series). Phil Jackson, who appeared in 20 playoffs, coached the most series with 65, and won the most with 56. However, Gregg Popovich and George Karl actually made the most playoff appearances at 22. Karl has the most losses, having lost a series in each of his 22 appearances without winning a championship. Jerry Sloan coached the most playoff series without winning a championship with 40, compiling 20 wins and 20 losses. Steve Kerr owns the highest win percentage at 88.5%, and Jack Ramsay owns the lowest win percentage at 31.8%. Note that the playoff format has expanded over time. Results from the NBA play-in tournament are not counted.
Yrs | Number of years coached |
SC | Series Coached |
SW | Series Wins |
SL | Series Losses |
Win% | Winning percentage |
App. | Playoff Appearances |
^ | Denotes coach who is currently coaching an NBA team |
* | Elected to the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame as a coach |
*^ | Active NBA coach who has been elected to the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame |
Notes
[edit]- a Each year is linked to an article about that particular BAA/NBA season.
- b Each year is linked to an article about the BAA/NBA Finals in that year.
References
[edit]- General
- "NBA Coach Register". basketball-reference.com. Retrieved October 22, 2011.
- "All-Time Regular Season Victories-Coaches". NBA.com. Turner Sports Interactive, Inc. Archived from the original on June 28, 2011. Retrieved April 15, 2010.
- "All-Time Playoffs: Coaches Won-Loss". NBA.com. Turner Sports Interactive, Inc. Archived from the original on June 28, 2011. Retrieved April 15, 2010.
- Specific
- ^ Goldaper, Sam. "The First Game". NBA.com. Turner Sports Interactive, Inc. Archived from the original on September 7, 2012. Retrieved August 4, 2010.
- ^ "1949–50 Season Overview: Powerful Lakers Repeat". NBA.com. Turner Sports Interactive, Inc. Archived from the original on June 28, 2011. Retrieved August 4, 2010.
- ^ "Brown: Jordan wants to buy Bobcats". ESPN.com. February 15, 2010. Retrieved August 4, 2010.
- ^ "Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame Inductees". basketball-reference.com. Retrieved August 4, 2010.
- ^ "Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame inductees". Retrieved April 7, 2019.
- ^ "Top 10 Coaches in NBA History". NBA.com. Turner Sports Interactive, Inc. Archived from the original on February 9, 2012. Retrieved August 4, 2010.
- ^ "NBA 75: Top 15 coaches in league history revealed". NBA.com. February 8, 2022.
- ^ "Rick Adelman Coaching Record". basketball-reference.com. Retrieved June 22, 2012.
- ^ "Stan Albeck Coaching Record". basketball-reference.com. Retrieved June 10, 2010.
- ^ "Al Attles Coaching Record". basketball-reference.com. Retrieved May 16, 2010.
- ^ "Red Auerbach Coaching Record". basketball-reference.com. Retrieved April 19, 2010.
- ^ "Bernie Bickerstaff Coaching Record". basketball-reference.com. Retrieved May 17, 2010.
- ^ "J.B. Bickerstaff Coaching Record". basketball-reference.com. Retrieved February 27, 2023.
- ^ "Allan Bristow Coaching Record". basketball-reference.com. Retrieved August 9, 2010.
- ^ "Scott Brooks Coaching Record". basketball-reference.com. Retrieved April 17, 2014.
- ^ "Brett Brown Coaching Record". basketball-reference.com. Retrieved April 12, 2018.
- ^ "Hubie Brown Coaching Record". basketball-reference.com. Retrieved May 17, 2010.
- ^ "Larry Brown Coaching Record". basketball-reference.com. Retrieved October 22, 2011.
- ^ "Mike Brown Coaching Record". basketball-reference.com. Retrieved June 22, 2012.
- ^ "Mike Budenholzer Coaching Record". basketball-reference.com. Retrieved April 12, 2018.
- ^ "P. J. Carlesimo Coaching Record". basketball-reference.com. Retrieved August 4, 2010.
- ^ "Rick Carlisle Coaching Record". basketball-reference.com. Retrieved June 22, 2012.
- ^ "Dwane Casey Coaching Record". basketball-reference.com. Retrieved April 16, 2015.
- ^ "Al Cervi Coaching Record". basketball-reference.com. Retrieved July 29, 2010.
- ^ "Don Chaney Coaching Record". basketball-reference.com. Retrieved May 17, 2010.
- ^ "Maurice Cheeks Coaching Record". basketball-reference.com. Retrieved July 29, 2010.
- ^ "Steve Clifford Coaching Record". basketball-reference.com. Retrieved April 12, 2018.
- ^ "Doug Collins Coaching Record". basketball-reference.com. Retrieved June 22, 2012.
- ^ "Larry Costello Coaching Record". basketball-reference.com. Retrieved May 17, 2010.
- ^ "Billy Cunningham Coaching Record". basketball-reference.com. Retrieved June 1, 2010.
- ^ "Mike D'Antoni Coaching Record". basketball-reference.com. Retrieved June 22, 2012.
- ^ "Chuck Daly Coaching Record". basketball-reference.com. Retrieved May 16, 2010.
- ^ "Billy Donovan Coaching Record". basketball-reference.com. Retrieved May 16, 2021.
- ^ "Mike Dunleavy Coaching Record". basketball-reference.com. Retrieved May 16, 2010.
- ^ "Bill Fitch Coaching Record". basketball-reference.com. Retrieved April 19, 2010.
- ^ "Cotton Fitzsimmons Coaching Record". basketball-reference.com. Retrieved April 20, 2010.
- ^ "Chris Ford Coaching Record". basketball-reference.com. Retrieved May 17, 2010.
- ^ "Lawrence Frank Coaching Record". basketball-reference.com. Retrieved June 22, 2012.
- ^ "Mike Fratello Coaching Record". basketball-reference.com. Retrieved May 16, 2010.
- ^ "Alvin Gentry Coaching Record". basketball-reference.com. Retrieved June 22, 2012.
- ^ "Edward Gottlieb Coaching Record". basketball-reference.com. Retrieved June 10, 2010.
- ^ "Richie Guerin Coaching Record". basketball-reference.com. Retrieved June 10, 2010.
- ^ "Matt Guokas Coaching Record". basketball-reference.com. Retrieved August 4, 2010.
- ^ "Alex Hannum Coaching Record". basketball-reference.com. Retrieved May 17, 2010.
- ^ "Del Harris Coaching Record". basketball-reference.com. Retrieved May 16, 2010.
- ^ "Les Harrison Coaching Record". basketball-reference.com. Retrieved August 9, 2010.
- ^ "Tom Heinsohn Coaching Record". basketball-reference.com. Retrieved June 1, 2010.
- ^ "Bob Hill Coaching Record". basketball-reference.com. Retrieved June 10, 2010.
- ^ "Brian Hill Coaching Record". basketball-reference.com. Retrieved June 10, 2010.
- ^ "Lionel Hollins Coaching Record". basketball-reference.com. Retrieved November 1, 2013.
- ^ "Red Holzman Coaching Record". basketball-reference.com. Retrieved May 16, 2010.
- ^ "Phil Jackson Coaching Record". basketball-reference.com. Retrieved October 22, 2011.
- ^ "Dave Joerger Coaching Record". basketball-reference.com. Retrieved April 12, 2018.
- ^ "Avery Johnson Coaching Record". basketball-reference.com. Retrieved June 22, 2012.
- ^ "Phil Johnson Coaching Record". basketball-reference.com. Retrieved August 4, 2010.
- ^ "K. C. Jones Coaching Record". basketball-reference.com. Retrieved May 17, 2010.
- ^ "Eddie Jordan Coaching Record". basketball-reference.com. Retrieved June 10, 2010.
- ^ "George Karl Coaching Record". basketball-reference.com. Retrieved June 22, 2012.
- ^ "Steve Kerr Coaching Record". basketball-reference.com. Retrieved April 11, 2019.
- ^ "Jason Kidd Coaching Record". basketball-reference.com. Retrieved April 10, 2022.
- ^ "John Kundla Coaching Record". basketball-reference.com. Retrieved May 17, 2010.
- ^ "Joe Lapchick Coaching Record". basketball-reference.com. Retrieved July 29, 2010.
- ^ "Frank Layden Coaching Record". basketball-reference.com. Retrieved July 29, 2010.
- ^ "Slick Leonard Coaching Record". basketball-reference.com. Retrieved August 9, 2010.
- ^ "Kevin Loughery Coaching Record". basketball-reference.com. Retrieved May 16, 2010.
- ^ "John Lucas Coaching Record". basketball-reference.com. Retrieved August 9, 2010.
- ^ "Tyronn Lue Coaching Record". basketball-reference.com. Retrieved February 27, 2023.
- ^ "Jim Lynam Coaching Record". basketball-reference.com. Retrieved May 17, 2010.
- ^ "John MacLeod Coaching Record". basketball-reference.com. Retrieved May 16, 2010.
- ^ "Mike Malone Coaching Record". basketball-reference.com. Retrieved April 11, 2019.
- ^ "Dick McGuire Coaching Record". basketball-reference.com. Retrieved August 9, 2010.
- ^ "Kevin McHale Coaching Record". basketball-reference.com. Retrieved April 16, 2015.
- ^ "Jack McMahon Coaching Record". basketball-reference.com. Retrieved July 29, 2010.
- ^ "Nate McMillan Coaching Record". basketball-reference.com. Retrieved June 22, 2012.
- ^ "Sam Mitchell Coaching Record". basketball-reference.com. Retrieved April 14, 2016.
- ^ "Doug Moe Coaching Record". basketball-reference.com. Retrieved May 16, 2010.
- ^ "Dick Motta Coaching Record". basketball-reference.com. Retrieved April 19, 2010.
- ^ "Don Nelson Coaching Record". basketball-reference.com. Retrieved April 15, 2010.
- ^ "Tom Nissalke Coaching Record". basketball-reference.com. Retrieved June 1, 2010.
- ^ "Nick Nurse Coaching Record". basketball-reference.com. Retrieved April 14, 2024.
- ^ "Jim O'Brien Coaching Record". basketball-reference.com. Retrieved October 22, 2011.
- ^ "Rick Pitino Coaching Record". basketball-reference.com. Retrieved August 9, 2010.
- ^ "Gregg Popovich Coaching Record". basketball-reference.com. Retrieved June 22, 2012.
- ^ "Jack Ramsay Coaching Record". basketball-reference.com. Retrieved April 19, 2010.
- ^ "Pat Riley Coaching Record". basketball-reference.com. Retrieved August 4, 2010.
- ^ "Doc Rivers Coaching Record". basketball-reference.com. Retrieved October 22, 2011.
- ^ "Bill Russell Coaching Record". basketball-reference.com. Retrieved June 10, 2010.
- ^ "Flip Saunders Coaching Record". basketball-reference.com. Retrieved October 22, 2011.
- ^ "Fred Schaus Coaching Record". basketball-reference.com. Retrieved July 29, 2010.
- ^ "Byron Scott Coaching Record". basketball-reference.com. Retrieved June 22, 2012.
- ^ "Paul Seymour Coaching Record". basketball-reference.com. Retrieved August 4, 2010.
- ^ "Bill Sharman Coaching Record". basketball-reference.com. Retrieved July 29, 2010.
- ^ "Gene Shue Coaching Record". basketball-reference.com. Retrieved April 20, 2010.
- ^ "Paul Silas Coaching Record". basketball-reference.com. Retrieved June 22, 2012.
- ^ "Scott Skiles Coaching Record". basketball-reference.com. Retrieved June 22, 2012.
- ^ "Jerry Sloan Coaching Record". basketball-reference.com. Retrieved October 22, 2011.
- ^ "Quin Snyder Coaching Record". basketball-reference.com. Retrieved April 11, 2019.
- ^ "Erik Spoesltra Coaching Record". basketball-reference.com. Retrieved April 17, 2014.
- ^ "Garry St. Jean Coaching Record". basketball-reference.com. Retrieved August 9, 2010.
- ^ "Brad Stevens Coaching Record". basketball-reference.com. Retrieved April 12, 2018.
- ^ "Terry Stotts Coaching Record". basketball-reference.com. Retrieved April 17, 2014.
- ^ "Tom Thibodeau Coaching Record". basketball-reference.com. Retrieved April 13, 2017.
- ^ "Isiah Thomas Coaching Record". basketball-reference.com. Retrieved August 9, 2010.
- ^ "Rudy Tomjanovich Coaching Record". basketball-reference.com. Retrieved May 17, 2010.
- ^ "Wes Unseld Coaching Record". basketball-reference.com. Retrieved July 29, 2010.
- ^ "Butch Van Breda Kolff Coaching Record". basketball-reference.com. Retrieved August 4, 2010.
- ^ "Jeff Van Gundy Coaching Record". basketball-reference.com. Retrieved May 17, 2010.
- ^ "Stan Van Gundy Coaching Record". basketball-reference.com. Retrieved June 22, 2012.
- ^ "Frank Vogel Coaching Record". basketball-reference.com. Retrieved April 14, 2016.
- ^ "Luke Walton Coaching Record". basketball-reference.com. Retrieved April 10, 2022.
- ^ "Bob Weiss Coaching Record". basketball-reference.com. Retrieved August 4, 2010.
- ^ "Paul Westhead Coaching Record". basketball-reference.com. Retrieved August 9, 2010.
- ^ "Paul Westphal Coaching Record". basketball-reference.com. Retrieved October 22, 2011.
- ^ "Lenny Wilkens Coaching Record". basketball-reference.com. Retrieved April 15, 2010.
- ^ "Monty Williams Coaching Record". basketball-reference.com. Retrieved March 24, 2020.
- ^ "Randy Wittman Coaching Record". basketball-reference.com. Retrieved November 1, 2013.
- ^ "Mike Woodson Coaching Record". basketball-reference.com. Retrieved June 22, 2012.