Who Got Next?!: 15 Former NBA Players Turned Head Coaches - Page 5
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The news of Steve Kerr taking over coaching duties from Golden State’s Mark Jackson signifies an interesting time in the NBA. More former players are jumping straight from court, or the broadcast booth, to the coaches box, and we highlight 10 notable people.
Some of the best head coaches of all time were mediocre players when they ran the courts in the NBA. Phil Jackson. Mike D’Antoni. Avery Johnson. They were terrific role players during their stints in the pro-league, and went on to have a different modicum of success as coaches.
Kerr is the latest NBA veteran to join the exclusive head coaches position. The Golden State Warriors and the five time NBA champion finalized a deal worth up to $25 million, and aims to capitalize on a strong showing in this year’s NBA Playoffs. “We are confident that he will be an extremely good fit for our team and our organization as we venture into the future,” general manager Bob Myers said in a statement.
Not everyone has had a definite success on the sidelines, but with that in mind, let’s take a look at other former NBA players who skipped the rungs to become a head coach. Let us know who was dope and who was not in the comments section below.
Photo: AP Photo
Jason Kidd
Photo: WENN
The former New Jersey Nets point man turned Brooklyn head coach made good on his intentions to bring Kings County a championship. Unfortunately, the Miami Heat have this guy named LeBron James who put a stop to his plans. Prior to his time as the chief play caller for the Nets, Kidd had stints in Dallas, New York, and Phoenix.
Phil Jackson
Photo: WENN
One of the purebred greatest of all time head coaches in the NBA was originally drafted in the second round by the New York Knicks. Having been apart of the 1970 and 1973 championship teams, Jackson would take his pedigree into the coaching world, and win multiple trophies utilizing zen and the Triangle Offense.
Mark Jackson
Photo: WENN
A firebrand of a point guard, this former New York Knick and Indiana Pacer was in the thick of it all during the ’90’s reign of the NBA. After retiring in 2004, Jackson became a broadcast commentator for ESPN, espousing basketball knowledge alongside Jeff Van Gundy. In 2011, he would go on to take over the head coaching duties for the Golden State Warriors and take them to consecutive playoff appearances for the first time in over 20 years.
Bill Russell
Photo: WENN
One of the greatest big men to ever play the game of basketball, Bill “Too Trill” Russell was a founding block of the Boston Celtics’ championship dynasty. During his career as a player, he reigned supreme as a five-time NBA MVP, a nine-time NBA champion, and a 12-time All-Star. He would later take the job as player-coach of the Celtics to replace the then-retiring Red Auerbach in 1966. After taking home two titles, he would cap his resume with a total number of 11 championships.
Lenny Wilkens
Photo: WENN
A former player with the Cleveland Cavaliers and Portland Trail Blazers, Lenny Wilkens would go on to become the NBA’s most winningest coach. Racking up the impressive number of 1,332 victories, he went unchallenged during his retirement. Eventually, another member of this list, Don Nelson, would upset Lenny and take the number one spot.
Larry Bird
Photo: WENN
Larry Legend caused havoc during the late ’80s run of the NBA. His rivalry with Earvin “Magic” Johnson was highlight TV. After he retired in 1992, Bird went on to coach the Indiana Pacers in 1997. A hometown boy who went to school at French Lick, Indiana, Bird had an above average win-lose rate in his time as coach. He would also routinely have the team finish in the top 3 in the Central Division.
Mike Woodson
Photo: WENN
New York can be a merciless place as a professional player. Selected 12th overall in the first round, Mike Woodson was a capable guard/forward who spent two years with the Knicks. After becoming the head coach of the Atlanta Hawks, Woodson implemented a style that helped the team increase their win totals. His stature grew and New York came a-calling again, and Woodson took the 2012-13 Knicks to the Eastern Conference Semifinals. We know how the rest of his story went.
Pat Riley
Photo: WENN
The 6’4″ former San Diego Rockets guard / forward was scrappy both on and off the court. Maybe it was his New York roots, but when Riley retired and became the coach of the Los Angeles Lakers, he personified showtime and grit winning multiple championships. Now, he’s using his golden touch to help direct the Miami Heat to their first three peat.
Avery Johnson
Photo: WENN
Known as the “Little General” when he played as the point guard for the San Antonio Spurs, Avery Johnson is a force on the court. His playing days stopped with the Golden State Warriors in 2003-2004, and he quickly jumped into the coaching seat with the Dallas Mavericks. Buoyed by his leading the Mavs to their first NBA Finals, Brooklyn brought him on as their head coach hoping for the same success. He didn’t get a chance to impact the troops at all.
Isaiah Thomas
Photo: WENN
Still referred to as “He-Who-Shall-Not-Be-Named” in New York City, the former Detroit Pistons point guard directed his team to multiple championships. When he stopped terrorizing other players, he turned his attention to coaches as the head play caller in charge for the New York Knicks in 2006. His tenure was so bad that people still will call you his name to let you know that you’re really bad at your job.
Kurt Rambis
Photo: WENN
Basketball fans know this character as the spunky kid who played with the Los Angeles Lakers. He would later go on to become an assistant for the team where other organizations quickly took notice. His skills would get him added to the Minnesota Timberwolves in 2009 as head coach. After a two year stint and nothing to show for it, he rejoined the Lakers as an assistant coach.
Mike Dunleavy
Photo: WENN
The Brooklyn boy went pro in 1976 after the Philadelphia 76ers picked him 99th overall. He would go on to become a journeyman player with appearances in Houston, San Antonio, and Milwaukee. His greater success came as a head coach where he earned NBA Coach of the Year honors when he led the Portland Trail Blazers to the playoffs.
Mike D’Antoni
Photo: WENN
Mike D might be a joke right now, but he was funnier when he played with the San Antonio Spurs. His career stats found him averaging 3.4 points per game and 2 assists. He was prone to have better success as a coach, and built a reputation for himself with the Phoenix Suns. Unfortunately, his “Seven Seconds or Less” approach failed on him with the New York Knicks and Los Angeles Lakers.
Don Nelson
Photo: WENN
With the first pick in the third round of the NBA draft, the Chicago Zephyrs picked Don Nelson in 1962. Coming into the league as a forward, the 6’6″ big man would also have stints with the Lakers and Celtics. His champion pedigree helped him to propel into the head coaching position, earning three NBA Coach of the Year honors, two NBA All-Star Game appearances, and the distinction of being one of the top 10 coaches in NBA History. Not bad for someone from Rock Island, huh?!
Kevin McHale
Photo: WENN
An NBA legend with three championship rings with the Boston Celtics, this power forward was a bother in the paint. Not afraid to scrap it up with his contemporaries, McHale had his No. 32 retired by the C’s when he retired in 1993. He would go on to have a hand in revitalizing the Minnesota Timberwolves as head coach and the Houston Rockets.
Who were some of your favorite NBA players turned coaches? Share your best ones below!
