Tom Nissalke

Tom Nissalke

1971 NBA Champion | NBA & ABA Coach of the Year | First Head Coach of the Utah Jazz

Tom Nissalke was born on July 7, 1932, in Madison, Wisconsin. Nissalke holds the rare distinction of being named “Coach of the Year” in both the NBA and the ABA. In 1971, he won the NBA championship with the Milwaukee Bucks as an assistant coach. Nissalke also coached the Puerto Rico National Basketball Team in the 1976 Olympics.

He was also the commissioner of the short-lived National Basketball League in Canada in 1993–94. He made it out of the first round of the playoffs just once, in 1977 with the Houston Rockets.

After coaching, Tom was a TV commentator and radio analyst for ESPN, the Houston Rockets, and the Utah Jazz.

Coach Nissalke passed away on August 22, 2019 at the age of 87.

  • Overall Coaching Record: 420-549
    • College: 49-41
    • NBA: 248-391
    • ABA: 123-117

Coaching Career

Coach Nissalke was hired by Ray Patterson to become the head varsity boys basketball coach for Wayland Academy. Nissalke coached there from 1957 until 1962. He finished with an overall record of 49–41 at Wayland.

Coach Nissalke became an assistant coach under John Erickson for the University of Wisconsin–Madison Badgers men’s basketball team. In his first and only season with the program, the team finished with a 14–10 record.

Coach Nissalke became an assistant coach under Ted Lenhardt for the Tulane Green Wave men’s basketball team. In his first season as an assistant, the team finished with a 1-22 record. The following season, he coached under Ralph Pederson and finished with a 3-22 record.

Over the next couple of seasons, the team improved their record to 9-16, 14-10, and 12-12.

Notable Players Coached

  • Craig Spitzer (Future 1968 Chicago Bulls Center)
  • Johnny Arthurs (Selected with the 73rd overall pick in the 6th round of the 1969 NBA Draft by the Milwaukee Bucks)

Coach Nissalke became an assistant coach under Larry Costello for the Milwaukee Bucks. In his first season as an assistant coach, the team finished with a 27–55 record, missing the playoffs. The following season, the Bucks finished with a 56–26 record, qualifying for the playoffs. They were eliminated in the Division Finals by the New York Knicks in 5 games (4-1).

In Nissalke’s last season in 1971, the Bucks finished with a 66–16 record, making a deep playoff run to the NBA Finals where they defeated Gene Shue and the Baltimore Bullets in 4 games (4-0), the franchises’ first and only championship for 50 years until they’d win against the Miami Heat in the 2021 Finals under Mike Budenholzer.

Notable Players Coached

  • Kareem Adbul-Jabbar
    • 6× NBA champion (1971, 1980, 1982, 1985, 1987, 1988)
    • 2× NBA Finals MVP (1971, 1985)
    • 6× NBA Most Valuable Player (1971, 1972, 1974, 1976, 1977, 1980)
    • 19× NBA All-Star (1970–1977, 1979–1989)
    • 10× All-NBA First Team (1971–1974, 1976, 1977, 1980, 1981, 1984, 1986)
    • 5× All-NBA Second Team (1970, 1978, 1979, 1983, 1985)
    • 5× NBA All-Defensive First Team (1974, 1975, 1979–1981)
    • 6× NBA All-Defensive Second Team (1970, 1971, 1976–1978, 1984)
    • 1970 NBA Rookie of the Year
    • 2× NBA scoring champion (1971, 1972)
    • 1976 NBA rebounding leader
    • 4× NBA blocks leader (1975, 1976, 1979, 1980)
    • 35th, 50th, and 75th NBA anniversary team selections
    • No. 33 retired by Milwaukee Bucks
    • No. 33 retired by Los Angeles Lakers
  • Oscar Robertson
    • 1971 NBA champion
    • 1964 NBA Most Valuable Player
    • 12× NBA All-Star (1961–1972)
    • 3× NBA All-Star Game MVP (1961, 1964, 1969)
    • 9× All-NBA First Team (1961–1969)
    • 2× All-NBA Second Team (1970, 1971)
    • 1961 NBA Rookie of the Year
    • 6× NBA assists leader (1961, 1962, 1964–1966, 1969)
    • 50th & 75th NBA anniversary team selections
    • No. 14 retired by Sacramento Kings
    • No. 1 retired by Milwaukee Bucks
  • Wayne Embry
    • 1968 NBA champion
    • 5× NBA All-Star (1961–1965)
  • Guy Rodgers
    • 4× NBA All-Star (1963, 1964, 1966, 1967)
    • 2× NBA assists leader (1963, 1967)
  • Bob Danridge
    • 2× NBA champion (1971, 1978)
    • 4× NBA All-Star (1973, 1975, 1976, 1979)
    • Future 1979 All-NBA Second Team
    • Future 1979 NBA All-Defensive First Team
    • 1970 NBA All-Rookie First Team
    • No. 10 retired by Milwaukee Bucks
  • Jon McGlockin
    • 1971 NBA champion
    • 1969 NBA All-Star
    • No. 14 retired by Milwaukee Bucks
  • Bob Boozer
    • 1971 NBA champion
    • 1968 NBA All-Star
  • Len Chappell (1964 NBA All-Star)
  • Flynn Robinson
    • 1972 NBA champion
    • 1970 NBA All-Star

Coach Nissalke became the head coach of the Dallas Chaparrals of the American Basketball Association (ABA). In his first and only season with the team, the Chaparrals finished with a 42–42 record, qualifying for the playoffs, and Nissalke won the 1972 ABA Coach of the Year award.

In the playoffs, the team was eliminated in the Divison Semifinals in 4 games by LaDell Anderson and the Utah Stars.

Notable Players Coached

  • Donnie Freeman
    • 1973 ABA champion
    • ABA All-Time Team
    • 5× ABA All-Star (1968–1972)
    • 1972 All-ABA First Team
    • 3× All-ABA Second Team (1969–1971)
  • John Beasley
    • 3× ABA All-Star (1968–1970)
    • 1969 ABA All-Star Game MVP
    • 2× All-ABA Second Team (1968, 1969)
  • Steve “Snappy” Jones (3× ABA All-Star (1970–1972)
  • Gene Moore
    • 1970 ABA All-Star
    • 1969 ABA All-Rookie Team
  • Len Chappell (1964 NBA All-Star)
  • Joe Hamilton (1971 ABA All-Rookie Team)

Coach Nissalke became the head coach of the Seattle SuperSonics, succeeding Lenny Wilkens. In his first and only season, the team had a 13-32 record before Nissalke was fired and replaced by assistant coach Bucky Buckwalter. The SuperSonics finished with an overall record of 26–56, missing the playoffs.

Notable Players Coached

  • Spencer Haywood
    • 1980 NBA champion
    • 1970 ABA Most Valuable Player
    • 4× NBA All-Star (1972–1975)
    • 1970 ABA All-Star
    • 1970 ABA All-Star Game MVP
    • 2× All-NBA First Team (1972, 1973)
    • All-ABA First Team
    • 1970 ABA Rookie of the Year
    • 1970 ABA All-Rookie First Team
    • 1970 ABA scoring champion
    • 1970 ABA rebounding leader
    • ABA All-Time Team
    • No. 24 retired by Seattle SuperSonics
  • Fred Brown
    • 1979 NBA champion
    • 1976 NBA All-Star
    • No. 32 retired by Seattle SuperSonics
  • Butch Beard
    • 1975 NBA champion
    • 1972 NBA All-Star
    • Future NBA Head Coach
  • John Brisker
    • 2× ABA All-Star (1971, 1972)
    • 1971 All-ABA Second Team
    • 1970 ABA All-Rookie First Team

Coach Nissalke became the head coach of the San Antonio Spurs, succeeding Babe McCarthy. In his first season, the Spurs finished with a 45–39 record, qualifying for the playoffs. They were eliminated in the West Division semifinals by the Indiana Pacers in 7 games.

The following season, Nissalke was fired after an 18–10 start and replaced by Bob Bass due to the Spurs fans lack of interest in Nissalke’s coaching style.

Notable Players Coached

  • George Gervin
    • Future 9× NBA All-Star (1977–1985)
    • Future 1980 NBA All-Star Game MVP
    • Future 5× All-NBA First Team (1978–1982)
    • Future 2× All-NBA Second Team (1977, 1983)
    • Future 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
  • Bob Netolicky
    • 2× ABA champion (1970, 1972)
    • 1970 All-ABA Second Team
    • 4× ABA All-Star (1968–1971)
    • ABA All-Rookie First Team (1968)
    • ABA All-Time Team
  • James Silas
    • 2× ABA All-Star (1975, 1976)
    • 1976 All-ABA First Team (1976)
    • 1975 All-ABA Second Team (1975)
    • ABA All-Rookie First Team (1973)
    • ABA All-Time Team
    • No. 13 retired by San Antonio Spurs
  • Roger Brown (1976 ABA All-Star)
  • George Karl (Future 2013 NBA Coach of the Year)

Coach Nissalke became the head coach of the Utah Stars of the American basketball Association (ABA) after Bucky Buckwalter was fired after a 24-32 start. Nissalke finished with an overall team record of 38–46, qualifying for the playoffs. They lost in the Divisions semifinals to Larry Brown and the Denver Nuggets in 5 games (4-1).

The following season, the team only played to a 4–12 record before the ABA folded and merged with the National Basketball Association.

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)
    • 4× All-NBA Second Team (1980, 1981, 1984, 1987)
    • 1983 NBA All-Defensive First Team
    • 1979 NBA All-Defensive Second 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
  • Roger Brown
    • 3× ABA champion (1970, 1972, 1973)
    • 1970 ABA Playoffs MVP
    • 4× ABA All-Star (1968, 1970–1972)
    • 1971 All-ABA First Team
    • 2× All-ABA Second Team (1968, 1970)
    • ABA All-Time Team
    • No. 35 retired by Indiana Pacers
  • Ron Boone
    • 1971 ABA champion
    • 4× ABA All-Star (1971, 1974–1976)
    • 1969 ABA All-Rookie First Team
    • 1974 All-ABA First Team
    • 1975 All-ABA Second Team
    • ABA All-Time Team
  • Jim Eakins
    • 2× ABA champion (1969, 1976)
    • 1974 ABA All-Star
  • Al Smith (1974 ABA assists leader)

Coach Nissalke was the head coach of Puerto Rico national team at the 1976 Summer Olympics in Montreal, finishing in 9th place with a 2–5 record. Nissalke’s team came close to upsetting the United States but lost in the final score of 94–93.

Coach Nissalke succeeded Johnny Egan as the head coach of the Houston Rockets. In his first season, Nissalke won the NBA Coach of the Year award for leading the team to a 49–33 record, 2nd in the Eastern Conference. They qualified for the playoffs where they made a deep playoff run to the conference finals but were eliminated in 6 games by the Philadelphia 76ers.

The following season, the Rockets finished with a 28–54 record, missing the playoffs. In Nissalke’s final season in 1979, the team finished with a 47–35 record, returning to the playoffs where they were eliminated in the first round by Hubie Brown and the Atlanta Hawks in 2 games (2-0).

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)
    • NBA All-Defensive First Team (1983)
    • 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
    • 5× All-NBA First Team (1966, 1967, 1974–1976)
    • 1973 All-NBA Second Team
    • 4× ABA All-Star (1969–1972)
    • 4× All-ABA First Team (1969–1972)
    • 1966 NBA Rookie of the Year (1966)
    • 1967 NBA scoring champion
    • 1975 NBA steals leader
    • 50th & 75th NBA anniversary team
    • 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 NBA Champion as Houston Rockets Head Coach
  • Calvin Murphy
    • 1979 NBA All-Star
    • 1971 NBA All-Rookie First Team
    • No. 23 retired by Houston Rockets
  • John Johnson
    • 1979 NBA champion
    • 2× NBA All-Star (1971, 1972)
  • John Lucas II
    • 1977 NBA All-Rookie First Team
    • Future NBA Head Coach
  • Mike Dunleavy Sr. (Future NBA Head Coach)

Coach Nissalke became the first head coach of the Utah Jazz, after previously known as the New Orleans Jazz. In his first season, the Jazz finished with a 24–58 record, missing the playoffs. The following season, the Jazz finished with a 28–54 record, missing the playoffs again.

Nissalke was fired after an 8-12 start and General Manager Frank Layden replaced him as head coach while remaining as the General Manager.

Coach Nissalke was known in Utah for having a strict rule that players who did not practice were not allowed to play in games. Due to Maravich’s arising knee problems, he was benched for 24 straight games, a decision not popular with Utah fans and to Maravich himself.

His assistant coaches were Bill Bertka and Gene Littles.

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
  • Adrian Dantley
    • 6× NBA All-Star (1980–1982, 1984–1986)
    • 2× All-NBA Second Team (1981, 1984)
    • Future 1984 NBA Comeback Player of the Year
    • 1977 NBA Rookie of the Year
    • 1977 NBA All-Rookie Team
    • Future 2× NBA scoring champion (1981, 1984)
    • No. 4 retired by Utah Jazz
  • Mack Calvin
    • 5× ABA All-Star (1971–1975)
    • 3x All-ABA First Team (1971, 1974, 1975)
    • 1973 All-ABA Second Team
    • 1970 ABA All-Rookie First Team
    • ABA All-Time Team
  • Bernard King
    • 4× NBA All-Star (1982, 1984, 1985, 1991)
    • 2× All-NBA First Team (1984, 1985)
    • 1982 All-NBA Second Team
    • Future 1991 All-NBA Third Team
    • 1981 NBA Comeback Player of the Year
    • 1978 NBA All-Rookie Team
    • Future 1985 NBA scoring champion
  • Ron Boone
    • 1971 ABA champion
    • 4× ABA All-Star (1971, 1974–1976)
    • ABA All-Rookie First Team (1969)
    • 1974 All-ABA First Team
    • 1975 All-ABA Second Team
    • ABA All-Time Team
  • Darrell Griffith
    • 1981 NBA Rookie of the Year
    • 1981 NBA All-Rookie First Team
    • No. 35 retired by Utah Jazz
  • Rickey Green
    • 1984 NBA All-Star
    • 1984 NBA steals leader
  • Brad Davis (No. 15 retired by Dallas Mavericks)

Coach Nissalke succeeded Don Chaney as the head coach of the Cleveland Cavaliers. In his first season, the team finished with a 23–59, missing the playoffs. The following season, the team finished with a 28–54 record, missing the playoffs for Nissalke’s second season.

His assistant coaches were Don Delaney and Gene Littles.

Notable Players Coached

  • Larry Kenon
    • 1974 ABA champion
    • 3× ABA All-Star (1974–1976)
    • 2× NBA All-Star (1978, 1979)
    • 1974 ABA All-Rookie First Team
  • Lonnie Shelton
    • 1979 NBA champion
    • 1982 NBA All-Star
    • 1982 NBA All-Defensive Second Team
  • World B. Free (1980 NBA All-Star)
  • Phil Hubbard (Future NBA coach)

Coach Nissalke became the head coach of the Jacksonville Jets of the Continental Basketball League. In his first and only season with the team, he finished with a record of 26-22, finishing third in the CBA’s East Division. The team compiled a postseason mark of 0-4.

Coach Nissalke became an assistant coach under Gene Littles for the Charlotte Hornets. In his first and only season with the team, they finished with a 26–56 record, missing the playoffs.

Notable Players Coached

Coach Nissalke became the head coach of the Winnipeg Thunder, a team in the World Basketball League (WBL). In his first and only season with the team, they finished with a 15-22 record, missing the post-season.

Coach Nissalke returned to the NBA to become an assistant coach under Dan Issel for the Denver Nuggets. Issel was later fired and replaced with fellow assistant coach Gene Littles on an interim basis until Bernie Bickerstaff was named the replacement.

In his first and only season as an assistant coach, the team finished with a 41–41 record, qualifying for the playoffs, but were eliminated in the first round by the San Antonio Spurs in 3 games (3-0).

Notable Players Coached

  • Diekema Mutombo
    • 8× NBA All-Star (1992, 1995–1998, 2000–2002)
    • Future 2001 All-NBA Second Team
    • 2× All-NBA Third Team (1998, 2002)
    • 4× NBA Defensive Player of the Year (1995, 1997, 1998, 2001)
    • 3× NBA All-Defensive First Team (1997, 1998, 2001)
    • 3× NBA All-Defensive Second Team (1995, 1999, 2002)
    • 1992 NBA All-Rookie First Team
    • 2× NBA rebounding leader (2000, 2001)
    • 3× NBA blocks leader (1994–1996)
    • No. 55 retired by Atlanta Hawks
    • No. 55 retired by Denver Nuggets
  • Dale Ellis
    • 1989 NBA All-Star
    • 1989 All-NBA Third Team
    • 1987 NBA Most Improved Player
    • 1989 NBA Three-Point Contest champion
  • Jalen Rose
    • Future 2000 NBA Most Improved Player
    • 1995 NBA All-Rookie Second Team
  • Mahmoud Abdul-Rauf
    • 1991 NBA All-Rookie Second Team
    • 1993 NBA Most Improved Player
  • Rodney Rogers (Future 2000 Sixth Man of the Year)