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.

An older man, wearing a black suit, is standing in front of a white background with text on it.
Gregg Popovich was inducted into the Basketball Hall of Fame in 2023. Popovich leads the NBA for the most regular season game wins.

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

YrsNumber of years coached
GCGames coached
WWins
LLosses
Win%Winning percentage
^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

List

Note: Statistics are correct through the end of the 2023–24 NBA season.

CoachTeam(s) coached (years)[a]YrsGCWLWin%GCWLWin%Championships won [b]Coach of the Year award(s) won[a]Ref.
Regular seasonPlayoffs
Rick Adelman* • Portland Trail Blazers (19891994)
 • Golden State Warriors (19961997)
 • Sacramento Kings (19982006)
 • Houston Rockets (20072011)
 • Minnesota Timberwolves (20112014)
231,7911,042749.5821577978.503 None None[8]
Stan Albeck • Cleveland Cavaliers (1979–1980)
 • San Antonio Spurs (19801983)
 • New Jersey Nets (19831985)
 • Chicago Bulls (1985–1986)
7574307267.535441826.409 None None[9]
Al Attles • San Francisco / Golden State Warriors (19701982)141,075557518.518613130.508 1 (1975) None[10]
Red Auerbach* • Washington Capitols (19461949)
 • Tri-Cities Blackhawks (1949–1950)
 • Boston Celtics (19501966)
201,417938479.6621689969.589 9 (1957, 1959, 1960, 1961, 1962, 1963, 1964, 1965, 1966) 1 (1965)[11]
Bernie Bickerstaff • Seattle SuperSonics (19851989, 1989–1990)
 • Denver Nuggets (19951996)
 • Washington Bullets / Wizards (19971999)
 • Charlotte Bobcats (20042007)
 • Los Angeles Lakers (2012)
14937419518.447331221.364 None None[12]
J. B. Bickerstaff^ • Houston Rockets (2015–2016)
 • Memphis Grizzlies (20172019)
 • Cleveland Cavaliers (2020–present)
8545255290.4681028.200 None None[13]
Allan Bristow • Charlotte Hornets (19911996)5410207203.5051358.385 None None[14]
Scott Brooks • Oklahoma City Thunder (20082015)
 • Washington Wizards (20162021)
12935521414.557974948.505 None 1 (2010)[15]
Brett Brown • Philadelphia 76ers (20132020)7565221344.391261214.462 None None[16]
Hubie Brown • Atlanta Hawks (19761981)
 • New York Knicks (19821987)
 • Memphis Grizzlies (20022004)
13919424495.461381424.368 None 2 (1978, 2004)[17]
Larry Brown* • Denver Nuggets (19761979)
 • New Jersey Nets (19811983)
 • San Antonio Spurs (19881992)
 • Los Angeles Clippers (19921993)
 • Indiana Pacers (19931997)
 • Philadelphia 76ers (19972003)
 • Detroit Pistons (20032005)
 • New York Knicks (2005–2006)
 • Charlotte Bobcats (20082010)
262,0021,098904.54819310093.518 1 (2004) 1 (2001)[18]
Mike Brown^ • Cleveland Cavaliers (20052010, 2013–2014)
 • Los Angeles Lakers (20112012)
 • Sacramento Kings (2022–present)
10727441286.607905040.556 None 2 (2009, 2023)[19]
Mike Budenholzer • Atlanta Hawks (20132018)
 • Milwaukee Bucks (20182023)
10801484317.6041045648.538 1 (2021) 2 (2015, 2019) [20]
P. J. Carlesimo • Portland Trail Blazers (19941997)
 • Golden State Warriors (19971999)
 • Seattle SuperSonics / Oklahoma City Thunder (20072008)
 • Brooklyn Nets (2012–2013)
9554239315.43119613.316 None None[21]
Rick Carlisle^ • Detroit Pistons (20012003)
 • Indiana Pacers (20032007, 2021–present)
 • Dallas Mavericks (20082021)
221,771943828.5321336370.474 1 (2011) 1 (2002)[22]
Dwane Casey • Minnesota Timberwolves (20052007)
 • Toronto Raptors (20112018)
 • Detroit Pistons (20182023)
141,064494570.464552134.382 None 1 (2018)[23]
Al Cervi • Syracuse Nationals (19491956)
 • Philadelphia Warriors (1958–1959)
9567326241.575593326.559 1 (1955) None[24]
Don Chaney • Los Angeles Clippers (19851987)
 • Houston Rockets (19881992)
 • Detroit Pistons (19931995)
 • New York Knicks (20012004)
12831337494.4061129.182 None 1 (1991)[25]
Maurice Cheeks • Portland Trail Blazers (20012004)
 • Philadelphia 76ers (20052008)
 • Detroit Pistons (2013–2014)
9620305315.49216511.313 None None[26]
Steve Clifford • Charlotte Bobcats / Hornets (20132018, 20222024)
 • Orlando Magic (20182021)
10801340461.42421516.238 None None[27]
Doug Collins* • Chicago Bulls (19861989)
 • Detroit Pistons (19951998)
 • Washington Wizards (20012003)
 • Philadelphia 76ers (20102013)
11849442407.521562333.411 None None[28]
Larry Costello • Milwaukee Bucks (19681976)
 • Chicago Bulls (1978–1979)
10730430300.589603723.617 1 (1971) None[29]
Billy Cunningham • Philadelphia 76ers (19771985)8650454196.6981056639.629 1 (1983) None[30]
Mike D'Antoni • Denver Nuggets (1998–1999)
 • Phoenix Suns (20032008)
 • New York Knicks (20082012)
 • Los Angeles Lakers (20122014)
 • Houston Rockets (20162020)
161,199672527.5601105456.491 None 2 (2005, 2017)[31]
Chuck Daly* • Cleveland Cavaliers (1981–1982)
 • Detroit Pistons (19831992)
 • New Jersey Nets (19921994)
 • Orlando Magic (19971999)
141,075638437.5931267551.595 2 (1989, 1990) None[32]
Billy Donovan^ • Oklahoma City Thunder (20152020)
 • Chicago Bulls (2020–present)
9718399319.556461927.413 None None[33]
Mike Dunleavy • Los Angeles Lakers (19901992)
 • Milwaukee Bucks (19921996)
 • Portland Trail Blazers (19972001)
 • Los Angeles Clippers (20032010)
171,329613716.461713833.535 None 1 (1999)[34]
Bill Fitch* • Cleveland Cavaliers (19701979)
 • Boston Celtics (19791983)
 • Houston Rockets (19831988)
 • New Jersey Nets (19891992)
 • Los Angeles Clippers (19941998)
252,0509441,106.4601095554.505 1 (1981) 2 (1976, 1980)[35]
Cotton Fitzsimmons* • Phoenix Suns (19701972, 19881992, 1996)
 • Atlanta Hawks (19721976)
 • Buffalo Braves (1977–1978)
 • Kansas City Kings (19781984)
 • San Antonio Spurs (19841986)
211,607832775.518843549.417 None 2 (1979, 1989)[36]
Chris Ford • Boston Celtics (19901995)
 • Milwaukee Bucks (19961998)
 • Los Angeles Clippers (19982000)
 • Philadelphia 76ers (2004)
10699323376.462291316.448 None None[37]
Lawrence Frank • New Jersey Nets (20042009)
 • Detroit Pistons (20112013)
9614279335.454381820.474 None None[38]
Mike Fratello • Atlanta Hawks (1981, 19831990)
 • Cleveland Cavaliers (19931999)
 • Memphis Grizzlies (20042006)
171,215667548.549622042.323 None 1 (1986)[39]
Alvin Gentry • Miami Heat (1995)
 • Detroit Pistons (19982000)
 • Los Angeles Clippers (20002003)
 • Phoenix Suns (20092013)
 • New Orleans Pelicans (20152020)
 • Sacramento Kings (2021–2022)
181,170534636.456301713.567 None None[40]
Edward Gottlieb • Philadelphia Warriors (19461955)9581263318.453321517.469 1 (1947) None[41]
Richie Guerin • St. Louis / Atlanta Hawks (19641972)8618327291.529602634.433 None 1 (1968)[42]
Matt Guokas • Philadelphia 76ers (19851988)
 • Orlando Magic (19891993)
7535230305.4301789.471 None None[43]
Alex Hannum* • St. Louis Hawks (19571958)
 • Syracuse Nationals / Philadelphia 76ers (19601963, 19661968)
 • San Francisco Warriors (19631966)
 • San Diego Rockets (19691971)
12883471412.533794534.570 2 (1958, 1967) 1 (1964)[44]
Del Harris • Houston Rockets (19791983)
 • Milwaukee Bucks (19871991)
 • Los Angeles Lakers (19941999)
141,013556457.549883850.432 None 1 (1995)[45]
Les Harrison • Rochester Royals (19481955)7476295181.620381919.500 1 (1951) None[46]
Tom Heinsohn* • Boston Celtics (19691978)9690427263.619804733.588 2 (1974, 1976) 1 (1973)[47]
Bob Hill • New York Knicks (1986–1987)
 • Indiana Pacers (19901993)
 • San Antonio Spurs (19941996)
 • Seattle SuperSonics (20062007)
9603310293.514371720.459 None None[48]
Brian Hill • Orlando Magic (19931997, 20052007)
 • Vancouver Grizzlies (19971999)
9613298315.486401822.450 None None[49]
Lionel Hollins • Vancouver / Memphis Grizzlies (1999–2000, 2004, 20092013)
 • Brooklyn Nets (20142016)
9534262272.491412021.488 None None[50]
Red Holzman* • Milwaukee / St. Louis Hawks (19541957)
 • New York Knicks (19671977, 19781982)
181,300696604.5351055847.552 2 (1970, 1973) 1 (1970)[51]
Phil Jackson* • Chicago Bulls (19891998)
 • Los Angeles Lakers (19992004, 20052011)
201,6401,155485.704333229104.688 11 (1991, 1992, 1993, 1996, 1997, 1998, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2009, 2010) 1 (1996)[52]
Dave Joerger • Memphis Grizzlies (20132016)
 • Sacramento Kings (20162019)
6492245247.49822913.409 None None[53]
Avery Johnson • Dallas Mavericks (20052008)
 • New Jersey / Brooklyn Nets (20102012)
7440254186.577472324.489 None 1 (2006)[54]
Phil Johnson • Kansas City-Omaha / Kansas City / Sacramento Kings (19731978, 19841987)
 • Chicago Bulls (1982)
9543236307.435927.222 None 1 (1975)[55]
K. C. Jones • Capital / Washington Bullets (19731976)
 • Boston Celtics (19831988)
 • Seattle SuperSonics (19901992)
10774522252.6741388157.587 2 (1984, 1986) None[56]
Eddie Jordan • Sacramento Kings (19971998)
 • Washington Wizards (20032008)
 • Philadelphia 76ers (2009–2010)
9600257343.42826818.308 None None[57]
George Karl* • Cleveland Cavaliers (19841986)
 • Golden State Warriors (19861988)
 • Seattle SuperSonics (19921998)
 • Milwaukee Bucks (19982003)
 • Denver Nuggets (20052013)
 • Sacramento Kings (20152016)
271,9991,175824.58818580105.432 None 1 (2013)[58]
Steve Kerr^ • Golden State Warriors (2014–present)10793519274.6541409941.707 4 (2015, 2017, 2018, 2022) 1 (2016)[59]
Jason Kidd^ • Brooklyn Nets (2013–2014)
 • Milwaukee Bucks (20142018)
 • Dallas Mavericks (2021–present)
8619323296.522421824.429 None None[60]
John Kundla* • Minneapolis Lakers (19481958, 1958–1959)11725423302.583956035.632 5 (1949, 1950, 1952, 1953, 1954) None[61]
Joe Lapchick • New York Knicks (19471956)9573326247.569603030.500 None None[62]
Frank Layden • Utah Jazz (19811988)8571277294.485411823.439 None 1 (1984)[63]
Bobby Leonard* • Chicago Zephyrs / Baltimore Bullets (19621964)
 • Indiana Pacers (19761980)
6450186264.413000.000 None None[64]
Kevin Loughery • Philadelphia 76ers (1973)
 • New York / New Jersey Nets (19761980)
 • Atlanta Hawks (19811983)
 • Chicago Bulls (19831985)
 • Washington Bullets (19861988)
 • Miami Heat (19911995)
171,136474662.41727621.222 None None[65]
John Lucas • San Antonio Spurs (19921994)
 • Philadelphia 76ers (19941996)
 • Cleveland Cavaliers (20012003)
6431173258.4011468.429 None None[66]
Tyronn Lue^ • Cleveland Cavaliers (20162018)
 • Los Angeles Clippers (2020–present)
8529312217.590855233.612 1 (2016) None[67]
Jim Lynam • San Diego / Los Angeles Clippers (19831985)
 • Philadelphia 76ers (19881992)
 • Washington Bullets (19941997)
10720328392.45621813.381 None None[68]
John MacLeod • Phoenix Suns (19731987)
 • Dallas Mavericks (19871989)
 • New York Knicks (1990–1991)
181,364707657.5181014754.465 None None[69]
Michael Malone^ • Sacramento Kings (20132014)
 • Denver Nuggets (2015–present)
11825463362.561683731.544 1 (2023) None[70]
Dick McGuire • Detroit Pistons (19591963)
 • New York Knicks (19651967)
7457197260.43125916.360 None None[71]
Kevin McHale • Minnesota Timberwolves (2005, 2008–2009)
 • Houston Rockets (20112015)
7417232185.556291316.448 None None[72]
Jack McMahon • Chicago Zephyrs (1962)
 • Cincinnati Royals (19631967)
 • San Diego Rockets (19671969)
8549260289.474291019.345 None None[73]
Nate McMillan • Seattle SuperSonics (20002005)
 • Portland Trail Blazers (20052012)
 • Indiana Pacers (20162020)
 • Atlanta Hawks (20212023)
191,428760668.532762848.368 None None[74]
Sam Mitchell • Toronto Raptors (20042008)
 • Minnesota Timberwolves (2015–2016)
6427185242.4331138.273 None 1 (2007)[75]
Doug Moe • San Antonio Spurs (19761980)
 • Denver Nuggets (19801990)
 • Philadelphia 76ers (1992–1993)
151,157628529.543833350.398 None 1 (1988)[76]
Dick Motta • Chicago Bulls (19681976)
 • Washington Bullets (19761980)
 • Dallas Mavericks (19801987, 19941996)
 • Sacramento Kings (19901991)
 • Denver Nuggets (1996–1997)
251,9529351,017.4791265670.444 1 (1978) 1 (1971)[77]
Don Nelson* • Milwaukee Bucks (19761987)
 • Golden State Warriors (19881995, 20062010)
 • New York Knicks (1995–1996)
 • Dallas Mavericks (19972005)
312,3981,3351,063.5571667591.452 None 3 (1983, 1985, 1992)[78]
Tom Nissalke • Seattle SuperSonics (1972–1973)
 • Houston Rockets (19761979)
 • Utah Jazz (19791981)
 • Cleveland Cavaliers (19821984)
9639248391.3881468.429 None 1 (1977)[79]
Nick Nurse^ • Toronto Raptors (20182023)
 • Philadelphia 76ers (2023–present)
6472274198.581412516.610 1 (2019) 1 (2020)[80]
Jim O'Brien • Boston Celtics (20012004)
 • Philadelphia 76ers (2004–2005)
 • Indiana Pacers (20072011)
9630303327.481311417.452 None None[81]
Rick Pitino* • New York Knicks (19871989)
 • Boston Celtics (19972001)
6412192220.4661367.462 None None[82]
Gregg Popovich^* • San Antonio Spurs (1996–present)282,2091,388821.628284170114.599 5 (1999, 2003, 2005, 2007, 2014) 3 (2003, 2012, 2014)[83]
Jack Ramsay* • Philadelphia 76ers (19691972)
 • Buffalo Braves (19731976)
 • Portland Trail Blazers (19771986)
 • Indiana Pacers (19861988)
211,647864783.5251024458.431 1 (1977) None[84]
Pat Riley* • Los Angeles Lakers (19811990)
 • New York Knicks (19911995)
 • Miami Heat (19952003, 20052008)
241,9041,210694.636282171111.606 5 (1982, 1985, 1987, 1988, 2006) 3 (1990, 1993, 1997)[85]
Doc Rivers^ • Orlando Magic (19992003)
 • Boston Celtics (20042013)
 • Los Angeles Clippers (20132020)
 • Philadelphia 76ers (20202023)
 • Milwaukee Bucks (2024–present)
251,8961,114782.588215111104.516 1 (2008) 1 (2000)[86]
Bill Russell* • Boston Celtics (19661969)
 • Seattle SuperSonics (19731977)
 • Sacramento Kings (1987–1988)
8631341290.540613427.557 2 (1968, 1969) None[87]
Flip Saunders • Minnesota Timberwolves (19952005, 2014–2015)
 • Detroit Pistons (20052008)
 • Washington Wizards (20092012)
171,246654592.525984751.480 None None[88]
Fred Schaus • Los Angeles Lakers (19601967)7560315245.563713338.465 None None[89]
Byron Scott • New Jersey Nets (20002004)
 • New Orleans Hornets (20042009)
 • Cleveland Cavaliers (20102013)
 • Los Angeles Lakers (20142016)
151,101454647.412573324.579 None 1 (2008)[90]
Paul Seymour • Syracuse Nationals (19561960)
 • St. Louis Hawks (19601961)
 • Baltimore Bullets (1965–1966)
 • Detroit Pistons (1968–1969)
8512271241.529351421.400 None None[91]
Bill Sharman* • San Francisco Warriors (19661968)
 • Los Angeles Lakers (19711976)
7573333240.581623527.565 1 (1972) 1 (1972)[92]
Gene Shue • Baltimore / Washington Bullets (19661973, 19801986)
 • Philadelphia 76ers (19731977)
 • San Diego / Los Angeles Clippers (19781979, 19871989)
221,645784861.477773047.390 None 2 (1969, 1982)[93]
Paul Silas • San Diego Clippers (19801983)
 • Charlotte Hornets / Bobcats (19992002, 20102012)
 • New Orleans Hornets (2002–2003)
 • Cleveland Cavaliers (20032005)
12875387488.442291316.448 None None[94]
Scott Skiles • Phoenix Suns (19992002)
 • Chicago Bulls (20032007)
 • Milwaukee Bucks (20082013)
 • Orlando Magic (2015–2016)
14958478480.499421824.429 None None[95]
Jerry Sloan* • Chicago Bulls (19791982)
 • Utah Jazz (19882011)
262,0241,221803.60320298104.485 None None[96]
Quin Snyder^ • Utah Jazz (20142022)
 • Atlanta Hawks (2023–present)
10739418321.566572334.404 None None[97]
Erik Spoelstra^ • Miami Heat (2008–present)161,277750527.58718410975.592 2 (2012, 2013) None[98]
Garry St. Jean • Sacramento Kings (19921997)
 • Golden State Warriors (1999–2000)
6450172278.382413.250 None None[99]
Brad Stevens • Boston Celtics (20132021)8636354282.557783840.487 None None[100]
Terry Stotts • Atlanta Hawks (20022004)
 • Milwaukee Bucks (20052007)
 • Portland Trail Blazers (20122021)
131,003517486.515672344.343 None None[101]
Tom Thibodeau^ • Chicago Bulls (20102015)
 • Minnesota Timberwolves (20162019)
 • New York Knicks (2020–present)
12916527389.575723141.431 None 2 (2011, 2021)[102]
Isiah Thomas • Indiana Pacers (20002003)
 • New York Knicks (20062008)
5410187223.45615510.333 None None[103]
Rudy Tomjanovich* • Houston Rockets (19922003)
 • Los Angeles Lakers (2004–2005)
13943527416.559905139.567 2 (1994, 1995) None[104]
Wes Unseld • Washington Bullets (19881994)7547202345.369523.400 None None[105]
Butch van Breda Kolff • Los Angeles Lakers (19671969)
 • Detroit Pistons (19691971)
 • Phoenix Suns (1972)
 • New Orleans Jazz (19741976)
9519266253.513332112.636 None None[106]
Jeff Van Gundy • New York Knicks (19962001)
 • Houston Rockets (20032007)
11748430318.575884444.500 None None[107]
Stan Van Gundy • Miami Heat (20032005)
 • Orlando Magic (20072012)
 • Detroit Pistons (20142018)
 • New Orleans Pelicans (2020–2021)
13979554425.566914843.527 None None[108]
Frank Vogel^ • Indiana Pacers (20112016)
 • Orlando Magic (20162018)
 • Los Angeles Lakers (20192022)
 • Phoenix Suns (2023–present)
12902480422.532924943.533 1 (2020) None[109]
Luke Walton • Los Angeles Lakers (20162019)
 • Sacramento Kings (20192021)
6407166241.408000.000 None None[110]
Bob Weiss • San Antonio Spurs (19861988)
 • Atlanta Hawks (19901993)
 • Los Angeles Clippers (1993–1994)
 • Seattle SuperSonics (2005–2006)
7522223299.4271129.182 None None[111]
Paul Westhead • Los Angeles Lakers (19791981)
 • Chicago Bulls (1982–1983)
 • Denver Nuggets (19901992)
6407183224.45019136.684 1 (1980) None[112]
Paul Westphal • Phoenix Suns (19921996)
 • Seattle SuperSonics (19982000)
 • Sacramento Kings (20092011)
10597318279.533492722.551 None None[113]
Lenny Wilkens* • Seattle SuperSonics (19691972, 19771985)
 • Portland Trail Blazers (19741976)
 • Cleveland Cavaliers (19861993)
 • Atlanta Hawks (19932000)
 • Toronto Raptors (20002003)
 • New York Knicks (20042005)
322,4871,3321,155.5361788098.449 1 (1979) 1 (1994)[114]
Monty Williams^ • New Orleans Hornets / Pelicans (20102015)
 • Phoenix Suns (20192023)
 • Detroit Pistons (2023–present)
10785381404.485562927.518 None 1 (2022)[115]
Randy Wittman • Cleveland Cavaliers (19992001)
 • Minnesota Timberwolves (20072008)
 • Washington Wizards (20122016)
10684278406.40621129.571 None None[116]
Mike Woodson • Atlanta Hawks (20042010)
 • New York Knicks (20122014)
9680315365.463461828.391 None None[117]

Playoff series

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%. Note that the playoff format has expanded over time. Results from the NBA play-in tournament are not counted.

Phil Jackson has won more playoff series and coached more playoff series than any other coach.
YrsNumber of years coached
SCSeries Coached
SWSeries Wins
SLSeries 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
CoachTeam(s) coachedSCSWSLWin%App.Championships
Phil Jackson* • Chicago Bulls (19891998)
 • Los Angeles Lakers (19992004, 20052011)
655690.8622011
Pat Riley* • Los Angeles Lakers (19811990)
 • New York Knicks (19911995)
 • Miami Heat (19952003, 20052008)
5640160.714215
Gregg Popovich^* • San Antonio Spurs (1996–present)5437170.685225
Jerry Sloan* • Chicago Bulls (19791982)
 • Utah Jazz (19882011)
4020200.500200
Larry Brown* • Denver Nuggets (19761979)
 • New Jersey Nets (19811983)
 • San Antonio Spurs (19881992)
 • Los Angeles Clippers (19921993)
 • Indiana Pacers (19931997)
 • Philadelphia 76ers (19972003)
 • Detroit Pistons (20032005)
 • New York Knicks (2005–2006)
 • Charlotte Bobcats (20082010)
3619170.528181
Lenny Wilkens* • Seattle SuperSonics (19691972, 19771985)
 • Portland Trail Blazers (19741976)
 • Cleveland Cavaliers (19861993)
 • Atlanta Hawks (19932000)
 • Toronto Raptors (20002003)
 • New York Knicks (20042005)
3617190.472201
George Karl* • Cleveland Cavaliers (19841986)
 • Golden State Warriors (19861988)
 • Seattle SuperSonics (19921998)
 • Milwaukee Bucks (19982003)
 • Denver Nuggets (20052013)
 • Sacramento Kings (20152016)
3513220.371220
Doc Rivers^ • Orlando Magic (19992003)
 • Boston Celtics (20042013)
 • Los Angeles Clippers (20132020)
 • Philadelphia 76ers (20202023)
 • Milwaukee Bucks (2024–present)
3517180.486191
Red Auerbach* • Washington Capitols (19461949)
 • Tri-Cities Blackhawks (1949–1950)
 • Boston Celtics (19501966)
3424100.706199
Don Nelson* • Milwaukee Bucks (19761987)
 • Golden State Warriors (19881995, 20062010)
 • New York Knicks (1995–1996)
 • Dallas Mavericks (19972005)
3315180.455180
Erik Spoelstra^ • Miami Heat (2008–present)3323100.697122
Rick Adelman* • Portland Trail Blazers (19891994)
 • Golden State Warriors (19961997)
 • Sacramento Kings (19982006)
 • Houston Rockets (20072011)
 • Minnesota Timberwolves (20112014)
3014160.467160
John Kundla* • Minneapolis Lakers (19481958, 1958–1959)252050.833105
Chuck Daly* • Cleveland Cavaliers (1981–1982)
 • Detroit Pistons (19831992)
 • New Jersey Nets (19921994)
 • Orlando Magic (19971999)
2616100.615122
K. C. Jones • Capital / Washington Bullets (19731976)
 • Boston Celtics (19831988)
 • Seattle SuperSonics (19901992)
261880.692102
Steve Kerr^ • Golden State Warriors (2014–present)262330.88574
Rick Carlisle^ • Detroit Pistons (20012003)
 • Indiana Pacers (20032007, 2021–present)
 • Dallas Mavericks (20082021)
2411130.458141
Dick Motta • Chicago Bulls (19681976)
 • Washington Bullets (19761980)
 • Dallas Mavericks (19801987, 19941996)
 • Sacramento Kings (19901991)
 • Denver Nuggets (1996–1997)
2411130.458141
Bill Fitch* • Cleveland Cavaliers (19701979)
 • Boston Celtics (19791983)
 • Houston Rockets (19831988)
 • New Jersey Nets (19891992)
 • Los Angeles Clippers (19941998)
2311120.478131
Billy Cunningham • Philadelphia 76ers (19771985)221570.68281
Jack Ramsay* • Philadelphia 76ers (19691972)
 • Buffalo Braves (19731976)
 • Portland Trail Blazers (19771986)
 • Indiana Pacers (19861988)
227150.318161
John MacLeod • Phoenix Suns (19731987)
 • Dallas Mavericks (19871989)
 • New York Knicks (1990–1991)
2110110.476110
Mike D'Antoni • Denver Nuggets (1998–1999)
 • Phoenix Suns (20032008)
 • New York Knicks (20082012)
 • Los Angeles Lakers (20122014)
 • Houston Rockets (20162020)
2010100.500100
Red Holzman* • Milwaukee / St. Louis Hawks (19541957)
 • New York Knicks (19671977, 19781982)
201280.600102

Notes

  • 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

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

See also