The NBA has a rich history, and it has produced not only the greatest teams in history but also the greatest NBA coaches.
To win in the NBA, players must have exceptional talent and skill sets. However, the team requires excellent coaching as well. Although assessing a coach’s impact is difficult, much of the credit is given to the star players.
To win a championship or any game, teams must employ strategies, tactics, leadership, and teamwork. This is where the team’s coach comes into play the most.
Coaches devise various strategies and tactics for their teams. They must also motivate the team and bring out the best in each player. Every coach has a unique coaching style and philosophy.
As a result, to show the coaches the respect they deserve for their efforts and hard work, we have compiled a list of the 12 best NBA coaches of all time.
The 12 Greatest NBA Coaches of All Time
The list below was compiled using the coach’s regular-season and postseason records, as well as the championship they won during their career.
The data was gathered from reliable sources such as Bleacher Report and Athlon Sports. So, before we get into the details, take a look at the table below.
| Ranking | Name | Championship |
| 12. | Larry Brown | 1 |
| 11. | Jerry Sloan | 0 |
| 10. | K.C. Jones | 2 |
| 9. | Don Nelson | 0 |
| 8. | William “Red” Holzman | 2 |
| 7. | John Kundla | 5 |
| 6. | Lenny Wilkens | 1 |
| 5. | Chuck Daly | 2 |
| 4. | Pat Riley | 5 |
| 3. | Gregg Popovich | 5 |
| 2. | Arnold “Red” Auerbach | 9 |
| 1. | Phil Jackson | 11 |
12. Larry Brown
- 1:327-1,011 regular-season record
- 120-115 postseason record
- 1 NBA Championship
Larry Brown, an 81-year-old American basketball coach, will kick off this list of the best NBA coaches. In the early 1960s, he played for the North Carolina Tar Heels Men’s Basketball team as Lawrence Harvey Brown.
Brown began his head coaching career at Davidson College in North Carolina in 1969. He went on to coach some of the biggest NBA teams after resigning from the position in just two months.
Brown has coached the Carolina Cougars, Denver Nuggets, UCLA, New Jersey Nets, Kansas, San Antonio Spurs, and Los Angeles Clippers in the NBA.
He was also the head coach of the Indiana Pacers, the Philadelphia 76ers, the Detroit Pistons, the New York Knicks, the Charlotte Bobcats, SMU, and Auxilium Torino.
He is the only coach in NBA history to have won both the NCCA national championship and an NBA championship. Brown’s other coaching accomplishments include NBA Coach of the Year, two-time NBA All-Star Game head coach, and three-time ABA Coach of the Year.
He has also been named Naismith College Coach of the Year twice, won the Big Eight Tournament twice, received the Chuck Daly Lifetime Achievement Award, and won the AAC Tournament.
Larry was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 2002. He is currently an assistant coach for Memphis.
11. Jerry Sloan
- 1 223-803 regular-season record
- 98-104 in the postseason
- 0 NBA Championships
Jerry Sloan is the next best NBA coach on our list. He is regarded as one of the NBA’s greatest and most respected coaches.
Gerald Eugene Sloan was born on March 28, 1942. He was a professional basketball player before becoming a professional basketball coach. He spent 11 seasons in the NBA as a player.
Solan had a 30-year coaching career, 23 of which he was the head coach of the Utah Jazz. He was the head coach of the Chicago Bulls in addition to Utah. As a result, he was the longest-tenured head coach in American major league sports.
Jerry’s fiery personality caused some heated situations. His coaching style was more focused on traditional lineups and pick-and-roll sets.
He was a very consistent coach, and when he retired, he was the fifth coach in NBA history to reach 1,000 victories, and one of only two coaches in NBA history to do so with the same team.
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Furthermore, Sloan was one of only four coaches in NBA history to have 15 or more consecutive seasons with a winning record.
He has also received the Chuck Daly Lifetime Achievement Award. Solan was also inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 2009.
Jerry Sloan died on May 22, 2020, at the age of 78.
10. K.C. Jones
- 522-252 regular-season record
- 81-57 in the postseason
- 2 NBA Championships/
K.C. Jones was one of only two African-American coaches to win multiple NBA championships, the other being Bill Russell.
Jones was born in Taylor, Texas, on May 25, 1932. He was a professional basketball player who later became a coach.
As a professional basketball player, he is tied for third most NBA championships and one of three NBA players with an 8-0 record in NBA Final series.
Jones was the head coach at Brandeis University from 1967 to 1970. It marked the beginning of his coaching career. He worked as an assistant coach for Harvard, the Milwaukee Bucks, the Boston Celtics, the Seattle SuperSonics, and the Detroit Pistons.
K.C. Jones has been the head coach of Brandeis, the San Diego Conquistadors, the Capital / Washington Bullets (now the Washington Wizards), the Boston Celtics, the Seattle SuperSonics, and the New England Blizzard.
Jones won two NBA championships as an assistant coach before going on to win two more as a head coach. He was also the head coach of the NBA All-Star Game five times.
In 1989, Jones was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame, and in 2006, he was inducted into the National Collegiate Basketball Hall of Fame.
On December 25, 2020, he died at the age of 88.
9. Don Nelson
- Regular-season tiebreaker: 1,335-1,063.
- 75-91 in the postseason
- 0 NBA Championships
82 years of age Don Nelson (Donald Arvid Nelson) is a former American professional basketball player who later became a coach. His birthplace is Muskegon, Michigan.
Nelson is the all-time leader in regular-season wins with more than any other coach in NBA history. He is also a coaching innovator. In Milwaukee, for example, his invention of the point forward position was revolutionary.
He abandoned traditional pivot-clogging centers in favor of fast-paced lineups capable of scoring in bunches. Nelson also has a distinct basketball style known as “Nellie Ball.”
Don has over forty years of coaching experience. He coached NBA teams such as the Milwaukee Bucks, Golden State Warriors, New York Knicks, and Dallas Mavericks as a head coach.
Three-time NBA Coach of the Year, two-time NBA All-Star Game head coach and Top 10 Coaches in NBA history are among his career highlights.
Don Nelson was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basket Ball Hall of Fame in 2012. After the 2009-2010 season, he announced his retirement from coaching.
8. Red “Red” Holzman
- 696-604 regular-season record
- 58-47 in the postseason
- 2 NBA Championships
William “Red” Holzman was born in Manhattan, New York, on August 10, 1920. He was a professional basketball player before retiring to become a coach, as were the majority of the coaches on this list.
Holzman began his coaching career as an assistant coach with the New York Knicks. From 1967 to 1982, he was the head coach of the New York Knicks. He also played for the Milwaukee / St. Louis Hawks (now the Atlanta Hawks) and Leones de Ponce.
The team won two NBA championships while Holzman was coaching.
In addition, he was named NBA Coach of the Year, two-time NBA All-Star Game Coach, three-time BSN champion, and one of the Top 10 Coaches in NBA history.
Red Holzman was one of the few people to have won an NBA championship both as a player and as a coach. He left the company in 1982. By the time he retired, he had the second-most career victories as an NBA head coach.
Holzman was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 1986. Likewise, Holzman was inducted into the International Jewish Sports Hall of Fame.
With the records and accomplishments he has amassed during his coaching career, Holzman is without a doubt one of the best NBA coaches of all time. However, he died on November 13, 1998, at the age of 78.
7. Kundla, John
- 423-302 regular-season record
- 60-35 in the postseason
- 5 NBA Championships
John Kundla is one of the coaches on this list who did not transition from professional basketball player to coach. On July 3, 1916, in Star Junction, Pennsylvania, he was born John Albert Kundla.
He did not play professional basketball, but he did play college basketball. He first went to and played for Minneapolis Central High School. Later, he attended the University of Minnesota, where he played basketball for the Minnesota Golden Gophers.
Kundla began his coaching career after graduation as an assistant coach to Dave MacMillan. He later took over as head coach at DeLaSalle High School. (themagazine.ca)
After two years, the United States was engulfed in World War II, and John volunteered to serve his country by joining the Navy.
Following WWII, John was hired as a coach at the College of St. Thomas in 1946. He then became the head coach of the Minneapolis Lakers in 1947.
Kundla was the Minneapolis Lakers’ first head coach. He was the Lakers’ head coach for 12 seasons, from 1947 to 1959, and was known for his gentle demeanor.
After learning that the Lakers franchise would be relocated to Los Angeles, John resigned from his position. He then went on to become a coach at the University of Minnesota.
Kundla won the NBA title five times (1949, 1950, 1952-1954). Similarly, he won the NBL championship in 1948 and was a four-time NBA All-Star Game captain (1951-1954).
In 1995, Kundla was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame. On July 23, 2017, the NBA coach died at the age of 101.
6. Lenny Wilkens
- The regular-season score was 1,332-1,155.
- 80-98 postseason record
- 1 NBA Championship
On our sixth list of the best NBA coaches, we have three-time Hall of Famer Lenny Wilkens. Wilkens, 84, is one of three coaches in NBA history to have the most coaching victories.
He began playing basketball in college as Leonard Randolph Wilkens. He later became a professional basketball player, beginning his career with the St. Louis Hawks in 1960.
Wilken was the NBA’s second all-time leader in that category when he retired as a professional player.
From 1969 to 1972, Lenny worked as a player coach for the Seattle SuperSonics. He became the full-time coach of the Portland Trail Blazers after retiring.
He also coached the Cleveland Cavaliers, Atlanta Hawks, Toronto Raptors, and New York Knicks in the NBA.
Wilkens’ other career highlights include being named NBA Coach of the Year in 1994 and being a four-time NBA All-Star Game head coach in 1979, 1980, 1989, and 1994, respectively.
Similarly, he is ranked among the top ten NBA coaches of all time.
Lenny Wilkens is the most successful coach in NBA history. Despite only winning one championship, he led his teams to the playoffs 20 times. In addition, he received the Chuck Daly Lifetime Achievement Award during the 2010-2011 season.
Wilkens was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 1989 as a player, in 1998 as a coach, and in 2010 as an assistant coach for being a member of the 1992 United States Olympic “Dream Team.”
5. Chuck Daly
- 638-437 regular-season record
- 75-51 in the postseason
- 2 NBA Championships
The next coach on our list is Chuck Daly, a two-time Basketball Hall of Famer. Charles Jerome Daly, born on July 20, 1930, began his basketball coaching career in 1955 at Punxsutawney Area High School in Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania.
In addition to Punxsutawney, he has served as head coach for Boston College, Penn, the Cleveland Cavaliers, the Detroit Pistons, the New Jersey Nets, and the Orlando Magic. Daly also worked as an assistant coach for the Duke Blue Devils and the Philadelphia 76ers.
Chuck earned the moniker “Daddy Rich” because he was so determined to be the best-dressed coach in the NBA that he would send scouts to observe what his opponents were wearing.
However, his desire to be the best dressed did not distract him from his coaching duties.
The Detroit Pistons won two consecutive NBA championships under his leadership in 1989 and 1990.
In addition, he led the United States men’s Olympic basketball team (also known as “The Dream Team”) to gold in the 1992 Summer Olympics.
Daly has a long list of coaching accomplishments and awards, both as a head coach and as an assistant coach. He is also ranked among the top ten NBA coaches of all time.
He is honored with the Chuck Daly Lifetime Achievement Award. He was also inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 1994 for his coaching career.
Chuck Daly died on May 9, 2009, at the age of 78. He was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame again in 2010 as the head coach of the “Dream Team.”
4. Pat Riley
- The regular-season record is 1,210-694.
- 171-111 in the postseason
- 5 NBA Championships
Pat Riley, 77, is regarded as one of the greatest NBA coaches of all time and ranks fourth on our list. He is a former NBA coach and player, as well as a professional basketball executive.
Riley began his professional basketball career in 1967 with the San Diego Rockets. After nine seasons in the league, he retired in 1976.
In 1977, he returned to the NBA as a broadcaster for the Lakers after retiring. Riley was then hired as an assistant coach for the Los Angeles Lakers by Paul Westhead in 1979. From there, his professional coaching career began.
Then, after nearly two years as an assistant coach for the Lakers, he took over as head coach in 1981. During his coaching career, he also served as the head coach of the New York Knicks and the Miami Heat.
Pat Riley is attempting to get his players’ attention (Source: Wikimedia.org)
Riley rose to prominence for his visually appealing fastbreak approach, which led the Lakers to four championships. Similarly, his gritty approach helped the Knicks become one of the NBA’s most difficult and dirty teams.
Riley has been the Miami Heat’s team president since 1995. He is also one of the top ten NBA coaches in history. He was also named NBA Coach of the Year three times and head coach of the NBA All-Star Game nine times.
Riley resigned from his position as head coach of the Miami Heat in 2008. He is, however, still active as team president. In addition, in 2008, he was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame.
3. Popovich, Gregg
- 1 277-614 regular-season record
- 170-114 in postseason play
- 5 NBA Championships
Gregg Popovich is a 73-year-old American basketball coach and general manager for the San Antonio Spurs. He was born in the Indiana town of East Chicago.
Popovich has the longest active coaching tenure in the NBA and all major sports leagues in the United States. His total number of NBA victories surpasses both Lenny Wilkens and Don Nelson.
Popovich spent five years in the United States Air Force before beginning his coaching career. Then, in 1973, he returned to the Air Force Academy as an assistant coach under head coach Hank Egan for his first coaching job.
After six years as an assistant coach, he was named head coach at Pomona-Pitzer. He also worked as an assistant coach for the Kansas City Chiefs, San Antonio Spurs, and Golden State Warriors.
Popovich was also the head coach of the United States National Team. Popovich has been the head coach and president of the San Antonio Spurs since 1996.
Gregg has five NBA titles to his name. In addition, he has been named NBA Coach of the Year three times, NBA All-Star Game head coach four times, and SCIAC champion three times.
Furthermore, he led Team USA to gold in the 2020 Summer Olympics.
Gregg Popovich is an exceptional talent manager and a powerful figure in the NBA. His 11 former assistants have gone on to coach NBA teams, demonstrating his influence.
2. Auerbach, Arnold “Red”
- 938-479 regular-season record
- 99-69 in the postseason
- 9 NBA championships
Arnold “Red” Auerbach, also known as Red Auerbach, is our all-time second-best NBA coach. He was an American professional basketball coach and executive who was born on September 20, 1917.
Auerbach is best known for his tenure as the head coach of the Boston Celtics. He began coaching basketball at the St. Albans School and Roosevelt High School in Washington, D.C. in 1940.
After three years, he joined the United States Navy for three years. In Norfolk, he coached the Navy basketball team. There, he was hired as the head coach of the Washington Capitols by Washington millionaire Mike Uline.
Auerbach coached the Washington Capitals from 1946 to 1949. From 1949 to 1950, he played for the Tri-Cities Blackhawks. From 1950 to 1966, he was the head coach of the Boston Celtics.
Auerbach is regarded as a modern basketball pioneer. He reimagined basketball as a team sport dominated by defense and team play. He also popularized the fast break as an effective offensive weapon.
Not only is Red remembered as a pioneer, but he is also credited with breaking down color barriers in the NBA. In 1964, he made NBA history by drafting the first African-American NBA player, Chuck Cooper, and introducing the first African-American starting five.
In addition, in 1966, he hired the first African-American head coach in North American sports, Bill Russell.
Auerbach has numerous career highlights and awards, but he had no assistants during his entire tenure in Boston. He is also one of the Top 10 Coaches in NBA History.
In 1969, the Celtics legend was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Hall of Fame. On October 28, 2006, he died at the age of 89.
1. Michael Jordan
- 1 155 485 regular-season record
- 229-104 postseason record
- 11 NBA championships
Phil Jackson, the 11-time NBA championship winner a coach, is ranked first on our list of the 12 best NBA coaches of all time. Jackson, 76, is a former NBA professional basketball player, coach, and executive.
Jackson was a professional basketball player for 12 years. He immediately began his coaching career after retiring.
His first coaching positions were in professional leagues such as the Continental Basketball Association (CBA) and Puerto Rico’s National Superior Basketball Association (BSN).
He has coached teams such as the Albany Patoorns, Piratas de Quebradillas, Gallitos de Isabela, Chicago Bulls, and, most notably, the Los Angeles Lakers. He has also worked as an assistant coach for the New Jersey Nets and the Chicago Bulls.
Jackson was an excellent tactician, recruiter, and, most importantly, mediator as a coach. It’s no surprise that he’s regarded as the greatest coach in NBA history.
Aside from 11 NBA championships, Jackson’s career highlights and awards include four NBA All-Star Game head coaches, NBA Coach of the Year, CBA champion, and CBA Coach of the Year.
Similarly, in 1996, as part of the NBA’s 50th-anniversary celebration, he was named one of the Top 10 Coaches in NBA history. He also holds the NBA record for the most combined championships won as a player and coach, with 13.
Jackson left professional coaching after the 2010-2011 season. In 2007, Jackson was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame.
Conclusion
Coaches in any sport are given far less credit than they deserve. “I get no respect,” Rodney Dangerfield once said, perfectly expressing the pain of the profession. If you lose, you’re a jerk. If you win, you will be a supporter of great athletes.”
Being a great coach necessitates a variety of strategies, motivators, and the ability to manage personalities. So let us thank these people for their efforts and hard work.
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