Scotty Robertson

Scotty Robertson

3× Gulf States Champion | 2x Gulf States Coach of the Year | Former NCAA & NBA Head Coach

Scotty Robertson was born on February 1, 1930, in Fort Smith, Arkansas. He played basketball and baseball for C. E. Byrd High School. After graduating from Louisiana Tech, he played baseball in the Chicago White Sox organization before returning to basketball as a coach.

Coach Robertson passed away on August 18, 2011, at the age of 81.

  • Overall Coaching Record: 437-351
    • NBA: 109-178
    • NCAA: 165–82
    • High School: 163–91

Coaching Career

Scotty Robertson began his coaching career by becoming the head coach of the Rodessa High School basketball team.

Coach Robertson became the head coach of the North Caddo High basketball team.

Coach Robertson coached basketball at C. E. Byrd High School, his former High School he attended, for eight seasons, resulting in an overall coaching record of 163–91.

Coach Robertson returned to Louisiana Tech, his alma matter to coach the Louisiana Tech Bulldogs basketball team. He was an assistant coach under Cecil Crowley. The following season in 1964, Robertson assumed the head coaching position.

In 1963, the Bulldogs finished with a 20-8 record and were runner ups for the NCAA Regional Championship. In 1970, the Bulldogs finished with a 23-5 record and were 3rd place in the regional tournament.

In his 10 seasons as the head coach, Robertson won the Gulf States Coach of the Year award in 1967 and 1971. The Bulldogs won the Gulf States regular season championship in 1964, 1967, 1970, and 1971.

Coach Robertson became the first ever head coach of the New Orleans Jazz. After a 1-14 start, he was replaced by assistant coach Elgin Baylor until Butch Van Breda Kolff was named the permanent head coach.

Notable Players Coached

  • Pete Maravich
    • 5× NBA All-Star (1973, 1974, 1977–1979)
    • 2× All-NBA First Team (1976, 1977)
    • 2× All-NBA Second Team (1973, 1978)
    • 1971 NBA All-Rookie First Team
    • 1977 NBA scoring champion
    • 50th & 75th NBA anniversary team selections
    • No. 44 retired by Atlanta Hawks
    • No. 7 retired by Utah Jazz
    • No. 7 retired by New Orleans Pelicans
  • Mel Counts (2× NBA champion (1965, 1966)
  • E.C. Coleman
    • 1977 NBA All-Defensive First Team
    • 1978 NBA All-Defensive Second Team

Coach Robertson became an assistant coach under Cotton Fitzsimmons. In his first and only season as an assistant coach, the Braves finished with a 27–55 record, missing the playoffs.

Notable Players Coached

  • Billy Knight
    • 2x NBA All-Star (1977, 1978)
    • 1976 ABA All-Star
    • 1976 All-ABA First Team
    • 1975 ABA All-Rookie First Team
  • Randy Smith
    • 2× NBA All-Star (1976, 1978)
    • 1978 NBA All-Star Game MVP
    • 1976 All-NBA Second Team
  • Chuck Williams (2× ABA All-Star (1973, 1976)

Coach Robertson became an assistant coach under Larry Costello for the Chicago Bulls. Costello was fired after a 20-36 start and Robertson finished the rest of the season as the interim with a 11-15 coaching record. HIs fellow assistant coach was Bumper Tormohlen.

Notable Players Coached

  • Artis Gilmore
    • 1975 ABA champion
    • 1975 ABA Playoffs Most Valuable Player
    • 1972 ABA Most Valuable Player
    • 6× NBA All-Star (1978, 1979, 1981–1983, 1986)
    • 5× ABA All-Star (1972–1976)
    • 1974 ABA All-Star Game MVP
    • 5× All-ABA First Team (1972–1976)
    • 4× ABA All-Defensive First Team (1973–1976)
    • 1978 NBA All-Defensive Second Team
    • 1972 ABA Rookie of the Year
    • 1972 ABA All-Rookie First Team
    • 4× ABA rebounding champion (1972–1974, 1976)
    • ABA All-Time Team
  • Reggie Theus
    • 2× NBA All-Star (1981, 1983)
    • 1979 NBA All-Rookie First Team

Coach Robertson became an assistant coach under Del Harris for the Houston Rockets. In his first and only season as an assistant coach, the Rockets finished with a 41–41 record, qualifying for the playoffs. They were eliminated in the Eastern Conference semifinals by the Boston Celtics in 4 games.

Notable Players Coached

  • Moses Malone
    • 1983 NBA champion
    • 1983 NBA Finals MVP
    • 3× NBA Most Valuable Player (1979, 1982, 1983)
    • 12× NBA All-Star (1978–1989)
    • 1975 ABA All-Star
    • 4× All-NBA First Team (1979, 1982, 1983, 1985)
    • 1983 NBA All-Defensive First Team
    • 1975 ABA All-Rookie Team
    • 6× NBA rebounding leader (1979, 1981–1985)
    • 50th & 75th NBA anniversary team selections
    • ABA All-Time Team
    • No. 2 retired by Philadelphia 76ers
    • No. 24 retired by Houston Rockets
  • Rick Barry
    • 1975 NBA champion
    • 1975 NBA Finals MVP
    • 1969 ABA champion
    • 8× NBA All-Star (1966, 1967, 1973–1978)
    • 1967 NBA All-Star Game MVP (1967)
    • 5× All-NBA First Team (1966, 1967, 1974–1976)
    • 4× ABA All-Star (1969–1972)
    • 4× All-ABA First Team (1969–1972)
    • 1966 NBA Rookie of the Year
    • 1967 NBA scoring champion
    • 1975 NBA steals leader
    • 50th & 75th NBA anniversary team selections
    • ABA All-Time Team
    • No. 24 retired by Golden State Warriors
  • Rudy Tomjanovich
    • 5× NBA All-Star (1974–1977, 1979)
    • No. 45 retired by Houston Rockets
    • Future 2x champion as Houston Rockets Head Coach
  • Calvin Murphy
    • 1979 NBA All-Star
    • 1971 NBA All-Rookie First Team
    • No. 23 retired by Houston Rockets
  • Billy Paultz
    • 1974 ABA champion
    • 4× ABA All-Star (1973–1976)
    • 1976 ABA blocks leader
    • ABA All-Time Team
  • Mike Dunleavy Sr. (Future 1999 NBA Coach of the Year)

Coach Robertson became the head coach of the Detroit Pistons, making this his second full-time NBA head coaching job and his 3rd in the head coaching role. In his first season, the Pistons finished with a 21–61 record, missing the playoffs. The following season, the team finished with a 39–43 record, missing the playoffs once again.

In Robertson’s 3rd season, the Pistons finished with a 37–45 record, missing the playoffs for a third year in a row. After the season, he would be replaced with Chuck Daly.

Notable Players Coached

  • Isiah Thomas
    • Future 2× NBA champion (1989, 1990)
    • Future 1990 NBA Finals MVP
    • 12× NBA All-Star (1982–1993)
    • 2× NBA All-Star Game MVP (1984, 1986)
    • 3× All-NBA First Team (1984–1986)
    • 2× All-NBA Second Team (1983, 1987)
    • 1982 NBA All-Rookie First Team
    • Future 1985 NBA assists leader
    • 50th & 75th NBA anniversary team selections
    • No. 11 retired by Detroit Pistons
  • Bill Laimbeer
    • Future 2× NBA champion (1989, 1990)
    • Future 4× NBA All-Star (1983–1985, 1987)
    • Future 1986 NBA rebounding leader
    • No. 40 retired by Detroit Pistons
  • Kelly Tripucka
    • 2× NBA All-Star (1982, 1984)
    • 1982 NBA All-Rookie First Team
  • Ron Lee
    • 1977 NBA All-Rookie First Team
    • 1978 NBA steals leader
  • Larry Drew (Future NBA Head Coach & 2016 NBA champion as an assistant)
  • Phil Hubbard (Future NBA coach)

Coach Robertson became an assistant coach under Jack McKinney for the Indiana Pacers. In his first and only as an assistant coach, the Pacers finished with a 26–56 record, missing the playoffs.

Notable Players Coached

Coach Robertson became an assistant coach under Cotton Fitzsimmons for the San Antonio Spurs. In his first and only season as an assistant, the Spurs finished with a 41–41 record, qualifying for the playoffs. They were eliminated in the first round by the Doug Moe coached Denver Nuggets in 5 games (3-2).

Notable Players Coached

  • George Gervin
    • 9× NBA All-Star (1977–1985)
    • 1980 NBA All-Star Game MVP
    • 5× All-NBA First Team (1978–1982)
    • 2× All-NBA Second Team (1977, 1983)
    • 4× NBA scoring champion (1978–1980, 1982)
    • 3× ABA All-Star (1974–1976)
    • 2× All-ABA Second Team (1975, 1976)
    • 1973 ABA All-Rookie First Team
    • No. 44 retired by San Antonio Spurs
    • 50th & 75th NBA anniversary team selections
    • ABA All-Time Team
  • Artis Gilmore
    • 1975 ABA champion
    • 1975 ABA Playoffs Most Valuable Player
    • 1972 ABA Most Valuable Player
    • 6× NBA All-Star (1978, 1979, 1981–1983, 1986)
    • 5× ABA All-Star (1972–1976)
    • 1974 ABA All-Star Game MVP
    • 5× All-ABA First Team (1972–1976)
    • 4× ABA All-Defensive First Team (1973–1976)
    • 1972 ABA Rookie of the Year
    • 4× ABA rebounding champion (1972–1974, 1976)
    • ABA All-Time Team
  • Alvin Robertson
    • 4× NBA All-Star (1986–1988, 1991)
    • 1986 All-NBA Second Team
    • 1986 NBA Defensive Player of the Year
    • 2× NBA All-Defensive First Team (1987, 1991)
    • 4× NBA All-Defensive Second Team (1986, 1988–1990)
    • 1986 NBA Most Improved Player
    • 3× NBA steals leader (1986, 1987, 1991)
  • Billy Knight
    • 2x NBA All-Star (1977, 1978)
    • 1976 ABA All-Star
    • 1976 All-ABA First Team
    • 1975 ABA All-Rookie First Team
  • Steve Johnson (1988 NBA All-Star)
  • Johnny Moore
    • 1982 NBA assists leader
    • No. 00 retired by San Antonio Spurs
  • Marc Iavaroni (1983 NBA champion & Future NBA coach)
  • Tyrone Corbin (Future NBA Head Coach)

Coach Robertson became an assistant coach under Cotton Fitzsimmons and later retained under Paul Westphal when Fitzsimmons transitioned full-time into Phoenix’s front office. In his first season as an assistant, the Suns finished with a 54–28 record, qualifying for the playoffs, making a deep playoff run to the western conference finals, but were eliminated in 6 games by the Portland Trail Blazers.

In 1993, the Suns made a deep playoff run to the finals, but lost to Phil Jackson and the Chicago Bulls in 6 games (4-2)

Notable Players Coached

  • Charles Barkley
    • 1993 NBA Most Valuable Player
    • 11× NBA All-Star (1987–1997)
    • 1991 NBA All-Star Game MVP
    • 5× All-NBA First Team (1988–1991, 1993)
    • 1985 NBA All-Rookie First Team
    • 1987 NBA rebounding leader
    • 50th & 75th NBA anniversary team selections
    • No. 34 retired by Philadelphia 76ers
    • No. 34 retired by Phoenix Suns
  • Kurt Rambis
    • 4× NBA champion (1982, 1985, 1987, 1988)
    • Future NBA Head Coach
  • Dan Majerle
    • 3× NBA All-Star (1992, 1993, 1995)
    • 2× NBA All-Defensive Second Team (1991, 1993)
    • No. 9 retired by Phoenix Suns
  • Tom Chambers
    • 4× NBA All-Star (1987, 1989–1991)
    • 1987 NBA All-Star Game MVP
    • 2× All-NBA Second Team (1989, 1990)
    • No. 24 retired by Phoenix Suns
  • Kevin Johnson
    • 3× NBA All-Star (1990, 1991, 1994)
    • 4× All-NBA Second Team (1989–1991, 1994)
    • 1992 All-NBA Third Team
    • 1989 NBA Most Improved Player
    • No. 7 retired by Phoenix Suns
  • Danny Manning
    • 2× NBA All-Star (1993, 1994)
    • 1998 NBA Sixth Man of the Year
  • Jeff Hornacek
    • 1992 NBA All-Star
    • 2× NBA Three-Point Contest champion (1998, 2000)
    • No. 14 retired by Utah Jazz
  • Cedric Caballos
    • 1995 NBA All-Star
    • 1992 NBA Slam Dunk Contest champion
  • Xavier McDaniel
    • 1988 NBA All-Star
    • 1986 NBA All-Rookie First Team
  • Joe Barry Carroll
    • 1987 NBA All-Star
    • 1981 NBA All-Rookie First Team
  • A.C. Green
    • 3× NBA champion (1987, 1988, 2000)
    • 1990 NBA All-Star
    • 1989 NBA All-Defensive Second Team
  • Danny Ainge
    • 2× NBA champion (1984, 1986)
    • 1988 NBA All-Star
    • Future NBA Head Coach & Executive
  • Eddie Johnson (1989 NBA Sixth Man of the Year)
  • Frank Johnson (Future NBA Head Coach)

Coach Robertson became an assistant coach under Pat Riley for the Miami Heat. In his first season as an assistant coach, the Heat finished with a 42-40 record, qualifying for the playoffs where they were eliminated by Phil Jackson and the Chicago Bulls in 3 games (3-0). The following season, the Miami Heat finished with a 61–21 record, making a deep playoff run to the Eastern Conference Finals, but lost to the Chicago Bulls in 5 games (4-1).

In his third season as an assistant coach, the Heat finished with a 55–27 record but were later eliminated in the first round by the New York Knicks in 5 games (3-2).

Notable Players Coached

  • Alonzo Mourning
    • 2006 NBA champion
    • 7× NBA All-Star (1994–1997, 2000–2002)
    • 1999 All-NBA First Team
    • 2× NBA Defensive Player of the Year (1999, 2000)
    • 2× NBA All-Defensive First Team (1999, 2000)
    • 2× NBA blocks leader (1999, 2000)
    • 1993 NBA All-Rookie First Team
    • No. 33 retired by Miami Heat
  • Tim Hardaway
    • 5× NBA All-Star (1991–1993, 1997, 1998)
    • 1997 All-NBA First Team
    • 3× All-NBA Second Team (1992, 1998, 1999)
    • 1993 All-NBA Third Team
    • 1990 NBA All-Rookie First Team
    • No. 10 retired by Miami Heat
    • 2006 ABA All Star-Game
  • Dan Majerle
    • 3× NBA All-Star (1992, 1993, 1995)
    • 2× NBA All-Defensive Second Team (1991, 1993)
    • No. 9 retired by Phoenix Suns
  • Jeff Malone
    • 2× NBA All-Star (1986, 1987)
    • 1984 NBA All-Rookie First Team
  • Bruce Bowen
    • 3× NBA champion (2003, 2005, 2007)
    • 5× NBA All-Defensive First Team (2004–2008)
    • 3× NBA All-Defensive Second Team (2001–2003)
    • No. 12 retired by San Antonio Spurs
  • Brent Barry
    • 2× NBA champion (2005, 2007)
    • 1996 NBA All-Rookie Second Team
    • 1996 NBA Slam Dunk Contest champion
  • Stacey King
    • 3× NBA champion (1991–1993)
    • 1990 NBA All-Rookie Second Team
  • Jamal Mashburn
    • 2003 NBA All-Star
    • 2003 All-NBA Third Team
    • 1994 NBA All-Rookie First Team
  • Chris Gatling (1997 NBA All-Star)
  • Keith Askins (3× NBA champion (2006, 2012, 2013) as an assistant coach)
  • Tyrone Corbin (Future NBA Head Coach)