There’s been over 357 head coaches in NBA history, only 30 of them can be crowned their greatest of their respective teams.
As the subtitle says, there has been over 357 head coaches in NBA history, picking only 30 of them (31 if you count the Seattle SuperSonics as a separate entity), but in this article, you’ll read every team’s greatest coach by their impact and contributions. Of course, at the end of the day, it’s an opinion, so if you agree or disagree, that’s completely fine, in fact, I encourage you to share your thoughts.
Honorable Mentions don’t necessary mean they’re ranked in team history, but they’re coaches who have made a significant impact to that particular team.
Look forward to our team writing articles about not only these coaches on the list, but across various sports, including basketball. All our content is free to read and access!
Philadelphia 76ers: Billy Cunningham
There are only a few coaches in NBA history that won championships with teams they once played for. Billy Cunningham may have never won during his playing days, but only a few years after retiring, he’d fulfil his wish by leading the 76ers.
In 1982, The 76ers traded Cadwell Jones for Moses Malone from the Houston Rockets, joining a powerful roster in Julius Erving, Maurice Cheeks, Bobby Jones, and Andrew Toney. The 76ers would later defeat Magic Johnson’s Lakers in 4 games in the 1983 finals.
As of 2025, Coach Cunningham holds the most head coaching wins in both the regular season and the playoffs, he’s also the only coach who’s won a championship in 76ers history.
Milwaukee Bucks: Don Nelson
In 1976 Don Nelson had retired from his playing career, he met with his family and laid out 3 choices for himself; sell cars, become an NBA referee, or accept an assistant’s job under then Milwaukee head coach Larry Costello. Shortly after one season, Costello resigned after an underperforming start, Nelson became the head coach. In 1968, Nelson was also named the team’s general manager.
On November 25, 1977, Nelson and the Bucks pulled off the greatest 4th quarter comeback in NBA history. Down twenty-nine points to the Atlanta Hawks, while on the road, and with only 8:43 remaining, the Bucks went on a 35–4 run to win 117–115 in regulation. The craziest part? The three-point field goal wasn’t a thing until 1979.
Nelson’s system, known as “Nellie Ball”, created a lot of mismatches and enabled the Bucks to seven straight Central Division championships with over 50 wins in each of those seasons. Nelson was named NBA Coach of the Year in 1983 and 1985.
“When you have bad teams, you’ve got to be creative to win games you’re not supposed to win.” – Don Nelson
Coach Nelson held the most wins in the regular season with 1,335 before being surpassed by Gregg Popovich in 2022. As of 2025, Nelson holds the most coaching wins in both regular season and playoffs for the Milwaukee Bucks.
Honorable Mention: Larry Costello & Mike Budenholzer
Chicago Bulls: Phil Jackson
Phil Jackson during his career was known as the “Zen Master”, he was an efficient communicator on top of his coaching skills, really knowing how to connect and motivate his players. Once he took the helms from Doug Collins in 1989, the league had no idea what was in store for them.
The Chicago Bulls won 6 championships, including 2 three-peats. Dominating the 1990s, these teams were led by Michael Jordan, Scottie Pippen, and Dennis Rodman. The Bulls had significant contributors to these championships including Artis Gilmore, Toni Kukoč, Steve Kerr, Bill Cartwright, Horace Grant, and John Paxson.
“The strength of the team lies within the individual. And the strength of the individual lies within the team.” – Phil Jackson
You also cannot undermine the mastermind assistant coaches during the Bulls dynasty in Tex Winter, the man who reinvented the triangle offense, Jim Cleamons, and 2 of the greatest defensive masterminds in Johnny Bach (known for his “Doberman Defense”) and Frank Hamblen.
As of 2025, Phil Jackson holds the most regular season wins with 545 and playoff wins with 111, two franchise records that may never be broken by another Bulls coach again.
Cleveland Cavaliers: Tyronn Lue
When David Blatt was fired in 2015, there was confusion and shock, why would the best eastern conference team fire the coach who just led them to the finals? They cited a “lack of fit”, but instead of dwelling on it, assistant coach Tyronn Lue stepped up to the job. After a 30-11 start by Blatt, the Cavaliers went 27–14 under Lue, finishing the season with a 57-25.
Defeating the Pistons, Hawks, and Raptors, the Cavaliers won the east and made another finals appearance against the Golden State Warriors. The Cleveland Cavaliers made history by becoming the first team in NBA history to win a finals series after being down 3-1. One of the most iconic moments in not just the NBA, but in the sports world had everyone shocked. No matter who you were rooting for, you can’t deny that the Cavaliers never lost hope and didn’t roll over.
“The only person who can truly hold you back is yourself.” – Tyronn Lue
Ty Lue was only the head coach of the Cavaliers for 3 seasons, but in a short span, he reached three Eastern Conference championships, won a championship, and became the second Cavaliers coach to win 40 playoff games, he was only 3 wins away from surpassing Mike Brown.
Honorable Mention: Lenny Wilkens
Boston Celtics: Red Auerbach
One of the pioneer architects and coaches of the NBA, Red Auerbach is a 9x NBA champion with the Boston Celtics. Auerbach introduced the fast break strategy, that’s still widely known and used today across all types of basketball competition.
Auerbach was more than a championship coach, he was Boston’s coach. Everyone loved and respected Red in the city of Boston, which led to him staying with the Celtics in 1978, that ended up becoming the Bird-McHale era of winning basketball.
Auerbach also drafted Chuck Cooper in 1950, who was the first ever African American to be drafted to an NBA team.
“The most important thing in coaching is communication. It’s not what you say as much as they absorb.” – Red Auerbach
The NBA Coach of the Year award is still named the Red Auerbach Trophy, since its debut, 41 head coaches have won the award.
Los Angeles Clippers: Doc Rivers
The Clippers may haven’t won a championship yet, but they have had their fair share of memories and playoff appearances. “Lob City” consisted of Chris Paul, Blake Griffin, and DeAndre Jordan. Paul had 4 all-star appearances, Griffin had 2, and Jordan had 1 during the Doc Rivers era.
The Clippers went to the playoffs 6 out of the 7 seasons under Rivers. Also under Rivers, Jamal Crawford won the 6th man of the year award twice, Lou Williams also won it twice, and Montrezl Harrell won it once.
“Good players want to be coached… Great players want to be told the truth.” – Doc Rivers
Doc Rivers and the Clippers parted aways in 2020 after the Clippers blew a 3-1 lead to the Denver Nuggets in the conference semi-finals. Assistant coach Tyronn Lue was named his successor and has been in the role since.
As of 2025, Coach Rivers still holds the most regular season and playoff coaching wins with 356 and 27 respectively. While Tyronn Lue is still coaching the Clippers, he is not that far away from surpassing Rivers statistics wise.
Honorable Mention: Tyronn Lue
Memphis Grizzlies: Lionel Hollins
The Memphis Grizzlies had a tough identity under Lionel Hollins, who embraced his defensive background and belief in the “Grit & Grind” system. Coach Hollins first joined the Vancouver Grizzlies in 1995 under Brian Winters. Hollins became the interim head coach briefly in 1999. After leaving in 2000, Hollins pursued other head coach opportunities and later reunited with the Grizzlies in 2002, becoming an assistant coach for Sidney Lowe in 2002, who was shortly fired and replaced with Hubie Brown. Hollins later became the interim in 2004 until Mike Fratello was hired.
Hollins took a short coaching break in 2004 but later returned to the Grizzlies a third time in 2009, officially named as their new head coach. From there, the Grizzlies made the playoffs in 2011, 2012, and 2013, the furthest they made it in the playoffs was the conference finals in 2013 losing to the San Antonio Spurs in 4 games. That same season, Marc Gasol won Defensive Player of the Year.
Atlanta Hawks: Lenny Wilkens
The Atlanta Hawks have had many great head coaches, but coach Lenny Wilkens stands out from the rest. Wilkens in 1993, his first season with the team, led them to the first seed won 57 games, the best in franchise history at the time, and won the Coach of the Year award. Dikembe Mutombo won the Defensive Player of the Year award twice under Wilkens and Alan Henderson won Most Improved Player in 1998.
“If you can’t go through it, find a way around it. Don’t spend all your time banging your head.” – Lenny Wilkens
Wilkens had an overall coaching record of 310-232 and only missed the playoffs once in his 7-season coaching tenure with the Hawks. In 1996, he was named to the Top Ten Coaches in NBA history list.
Honorable Mentions: Mike Fratello & Mike Budenholzer
Miami Heat: Erik Spoelstra
The Miami Heat have only been around since 1988, yet they have one of the most impactful teams in league history. In 1995, Pat Riley had come off a head coaching tenure with the New York Knicks, landing in Miami in one of the biggest deals for an executive. With Dwayne Wade and Shaquille O’Neal leading the way, the Heat secured their first title in 2006.
Due to Riley’s knee and hip problems, affecting his ability to be available for coaching, he fully transitioned into the team’s front office in 2008, naming assistant coach Erik Spoelstra as the head coach.
Not too long after, Spoelstra had fundamental pieces to work with adding LeBron James and Chris Bosh to Dwayne Wade’s leadership. The Miami Heat would win 2 more championships in 2012 and 2013.
Eventually, LeBron James went back to the Cavaliers, Bosh retired due to health concerns in 2017, and Wade himself retired in 2019, but that didn’t stop Spoelstra from wanting the team to compete as hard as they can. With low expectations, the Heat made the finals in 2020 and 2023, both times losing to the Los Angeles Lakers and Denver Nuggets, but regardless of their finish, the fact they made it over other highly rated eastern conference team is an achievement of its own.
You’re all over the place usually with young players. You’re trying to manage their emotions and teach them NBA situations. It usually takes months, even years, to learn and recognize NBA situations and then to develop a level of competitiveness that’s necessary at this level.
– Erik Spoelstra
As of 2025, Coach Spoelstra is still coaching the Heat, holding the most wins in regular season and playoff history. He was named to the top 15 NBA head coaches of all time in 2022.
Honorable Mention: Pat Riley
Charlotte Hornets: Paul Silas
The Charlotte Hornets have been through multiple identity changes throughout the years. In 1997, Paul Silas, coming off a 3-year stint as the head coach of the San Diego Clippers joined Dave Cowens staff as an assistant coach. After a 4-11 start in the 1998-1999 season, the Hornets fired Cowens and named Silas the head coach. Due to the shortened lockout season, the Hornets finished with a 22-13 record, missing the playoffs.
For the next 4 seasons, Silas would lead the Hornets to 4 straight playoff appearances, 2 of them being in the first round and 2 conference semi-final appearances. His son, Stephen would be on his coaching staff during those years. Silas was fired from his first tenure on May 4, 2003, which had surprised Hornets players and fans. His head coaching record was 208-243.
“You just knew he had your back.” – Former Bobcat Matt Carroll on Paul Silas
Silas would later replace Larry Brown as the Bobcats head coach in 2010; he would finish the season with a 25-29 record. In his final year with the Bobcats and coaching as a whole, the team finished 7-59.
Despite the Hornets unpopular history, Paul Silas had an impact on the franchise and led underdog rosters to playoff appearances.
Utah Jazz: Jerry Sloan
The Utah Jazz once had an iconic era which started when Coach Sloan had succeeded Frank Layden as head coach in 1988. Sloan’s teams featured future Hall of Famers in Karl Malone and John Stockton and had one of the best rim protectors in Mark Eaton.
The Jazz reached the finals twice in 1997 and 1998, losing to the Chicago Bulls both times. Sloan had played and coached for the Bulls in the 60s and 70s. The Jazz made the playoffs in every season Stockton and Malone were on the team, that’s 15 straight appearances.
“Rookies need to be seen and not heard.” – Jerry Sloan
In 2001, Sloan became the longest-tenured head coach in American major league sports with their current franchise and was the first coach to have more than 1,000 wins with a single NBA team. Sloan had his own number retired “1223” in 2014, a combined amount of wins he had with the Jazz in both the regular season and playoffs.
Honorable Mention: Frank Layden
Sacramento Kings: Rick Adelman
The Sacramento Kings are yet another example of a franchise who went many identity changes and locations from Rochester, Cincinnati, Kanas City, and now Sacramento. No matter where they were, there is one coach who stood out from the numerous who coached.
Starting in 1998, Rick Adelman and his offensive systems led the Kings to the playoffs in every year he was there, these teams included Vlade Divac, Peja Stojaković, Chris Webber, Jason Williams, Mike Bibby, and Bobby Jackson. One of the most controversial playoff games was Game 7 of the conference finals against the Los Angeles Lakers in 2002. There were serious accusations and speculation that the officiating crew had purposefully made bad calls to favor the Lakers, however, there was no action taken by the NBA.
“We opened the door for them, and they came through hard.” – Rick Adelman on facing the Lakers
Later in 2003, Bobby Jackson won the 6th man of the year award. As of 2025, Coach Adelman has 395 regular season wins and 34 playoff wins, the most of any Kings coach in franchise history.
Honorable Mention: Les Harrison (Rochester Royals)
New York Knicks: Red Holzman
Despite the Knicks’ recent playoff runs the last couple of seasons and a few finals appearances in the 90s, no coach has ever won championships in New York since Red Holzman in 1970 and 1973.
Walt Frazier and Willis Reed were two of the greatest in their positions during their playing careers. They also had a great supporting cast in Dave DeBusschere, Phil Jackson, Bill Bradley, and Dick Barnett.
On a good team there are no superstars. They have the ability to be superstars, but if they fit into a good team, they make sacrifices, they do things necessary to help the team win.”
– Red Holzman
Holzman won coach of the year in 1970, led the Knicks to an 18 game winning streak, the longest at the time since 1946, and had the second most career wins as a head coach in NBA history at the time of his retirement in 1982. As of 2025, he remains the all-time winning coach in Knicks history, both in regular season and playoff games.
Honorable Mentions: Pat Riley & Jeff Van Gundy
Los Angeles Lakers: Phil Jackson
Continuing his legendary and historical coaching journey, Phil Jackson was hired in 1999 by the Lakers to become their head coach. Wasting no time to produce results, the Lakers would win 3 straight (2000, 2001, 2002) championships, the teams being led by Kobe Bryant and Shaquille O’Neal.
However, due to internal conflict, with Kobe Bryant and ownership, Phil Jackson chose not to return for the 2004-2005 season. Rudy Tomjanovich was hired as his replacement, but due to health concerns, he retired halfway through the season, leaving Frank Hamblen as the interim for the remainder of the season.
Jackson returned to the Lakers starting with the 2005-2006 season, Shaquille O’Neal had been traded the season prior. Bryant and the Lakers would later win 2 more titles in 2009 and 2010. Jackson retired from coaching in 2011, leaving behind a 3-peat and a grand total of 5 championships with the Lakers.
Honorable Mentions: Pat Riley & John Kundla
Orlando Magic: Stan Van Gundy
In 2007, the Orlando Magic had their eye on Billy Donovan to be their head coach, however, he decided to go back to Florida State. Going with their second choice, Stan Van Gundy, which costed them a second-round draft pick in 2007 and the right to swap first-round picks in 2008 or another 2008 second-round draft pick and cash, this was part of a trade.
The Magic won 59 games in the 2008–09 season, the second most wins in franchise history. In 2009, The Magic reached the Eastern Conference Championship for the first time since 1995. Also making history in 2009, the Magic defeated Lebron James’ Cavaliers to reach the finals, again for the first time since 1995, where they were defeated in 5 games by the Los Angeles Lakers.
“It’s hard to be successful over the long term if you’re not unified and there’s not that synergy between coach and front office.” – Stan Van Gundy
As of 2025, Van Gundy holds the most regular season coaching wins with 259 and the most playoff wins with 31.
Honorable Mention: Brian Hill
Dallas Mavericks: Rick Carlisle
The Dallas Mavericks in the early 2000s under Avery Johnson were dominant, they even made a finals appearance in 2005, losing to the Miami Heat. Rick Carlisle was able to maintain a winning attitude in Dallas, leading them to their first NBA championship in 2011, facing off against the Miami Heat once again.
Dirk Nowitzki spent his entire NBA career with the Mavericks and mostly under Carlisle, where he had 7 all-star appearances (2008-2012, 2014, 2015, and 2018 under Carlisle) and won the Finals MVP in 2011.
“We’re in a must-win situation every night. We have to win games.” – Rick Carlisle
As of 2025, Carlisle has the most franchise wins with 555 regular season wins and 33 playoff wins. He also has the most games coached in Mavericks history with 1033.
Honorable Mention: Avery Johnson
New Jersey / Brookyln Nets: Kevin Loughery
Coach Loughery coached the New York Nets in the American Basketball Association (ABA), succeeding Lou Carnesecca in 1973. In his first season, along with Julius Erving, they led the Nets to their first championship. The Nets would later win their second championship in 1976. Erving had won 3 MVPs and 2 finals MVPS under Loughery.
Until Lawrence Frank surpassed him, Loughery held the most regular season wins with 190 and had 21 playoff wins, before being surpassed by Byron Scott. Speaking of Scott, he was close to being selected for this article as the Nets’ greatest coach, but ultimately, we viewed Loughery’s winning results to have played a bigger factor.
Honorable Mention: Byron Scott
Denver Nuggets: Michael Malone
When Michael Malone first arrived in Denver in 2015, the Nuggets had been struggling and were on a 2-year playoff drought. Malone was known for his player development progress in Sacramento before his tenure was cut short, making him the most ideal candidate for the Nuggets turnaround.
Although Denver wouldn’t return to the playoffs until 2019, their record improved every season under Malone, so did Nikola Jokić‘s development. They would play their hardest in the playoffs for 4 straight seasons before winning their first ever championship in 2023 against the Miami Heat.
“You don’t need great skill to be a tough rebounder; being a rebounder is all about effort, determination, and physicality.” – Michael Malone
Although Coach Malone’s Denver tenure unexpectedly ended in 2025, his impact on the Nuggets organization is one that was able to make history in the city of Denver. Many great coaches in franchise history who were so close to hanging a banner came up short, but Malone helped finished the job.
Indiana Pacers: Larry Bird
This was tricky to pick just one coach, but we truly dedicate this to 3, just because of how much of an impact they made on the Pacers in different situations. However, is there anyone more connected to Indiana than Larry Bird?
Under Bird, the Pacers made the playoffs in every season he was the head coach (1997-2000), reaching the finals, but losing to the Los Angeles Lakers in 6 games in 2000. Bird won coach of the year in 1997, and Jalen Rose won Most Improved Player in 2000.
“Push yourself again and again. Don’t give an inch until the final buzzer sounds.” – Larry Bird
Although Bird is the selection here, here’s how close these 3 Pacers head coaches compare:
Larry Bird: 147 regular season and 32 playoff wins. 3 conference finals and 1 final appearances.
Larry Brown compiled 190 regular season and 22 playoff wins. Appeared in 2 conference finals.
Rick Carlisle: 338 regular season (combined tenures, ongoing) and 23 playoff wins. Made 2 conference finals (2004, 2024, 2025), and 1 finals appearance (2025) so far
Honorable Mentions: Larry Brown & Rick Carlisle
New Orleans Pelicans: Bryon Scott
The Pelicans since Anthony Davis left have only made the post-season a few times since his departure in 2019. The team has had their fair share of head coaches, only 8 have been named within franchise history. This includes the New Orleans Hornets and Pelicans.
Byron Scott isn’t a popular name when he’s brought up in conversations, however, he does have more notable achievements than the rest of the head coaches in franchise history. For example, Chris Paul won Rookie of the Year in 2006 and not too long after, Scott won the 2008 NBA Coach of the Year award.
The team also reached a conference semi-finals in 2008, losing to the San Antonio Spurs in 7 games. The only other coach to progress that far in the playoffs was Alvin Gentry in 2018, losing to the Golden State Warriors in 5 games.
“Defense isn’t just a strategy; it’s an attitude.” – Byron Scott
To the Pelicans fans, Scott probably isn’t your first or second choice but let us know in the comments who you would have selected and why.
Detroit Pistons: Chuck Daly
3 words; Bad. Boy. Pistons. Led by Isiah Thomas, Joe Dumars, Bill Laimbeer, and Dennis Rodman, these Pistons teams were aggressive on the court, whether or not they were playing basketball, or you ticked any of them the wrong way.
With Daly’s leadership, the Pistons reached the playoffs in every season he was with the team, winning 2 championships in 1989 and 1990. In both of those seasons, Dennis Rodman won Defensive Player of the Year.
“Coaching is like flying an airplane, there is going to be a lot of turbulence, but your job is to land the plane safely.” – Chuck Daly
The Detroit Pistons retired #2 for Coach Daly in 1997, the number of championships won during his tenure. The NBA Coaches Association (NBACA) annually gives out the Chuck Daly Lifetime Achievement Award to longtime NBA coaches. As of 2025, Daly holds the most regular season wins with 467 and playoff wins with 71.
Toronto Raptors: Nick Nurse
Dwane Casey’s firing was a surprise to most, especially after winning the Coach of the year award in 2018. Nick Nurse, after being an assistant coach under Casey, succeeded him and won the Raptors’ first championship in his NBA head coaching rookie season.
“We’ve got to be innovative. We’ve got to think about what’s coming next.” – Nick Nurse
After the departure of Kawhi Leonard, the Raptors were led by Fred VanVleet and Pascal Siakam, only missing the playoffs twice under Nurse. As of 2025, Coach Nurse also holds the most playoff wins in Raptors history and the best winning percentage in regular season games.
Honorable Mention: Dwane Casey
Houston Rockets: Rudy Tomjanovich
It wasn’t easy winning a championship in the 90s, let alone two. With the short intermission in the Chicago Bulls dynasty, the Hakeem Olajuwon led Rockets were able to capitalize on that opportunity.
Under Tomjanovich, Hakeem Olajuwon won an MVP (1994) and 2 Defensive Player of the Year awards (1993 & 1994). Steve Francis would later win Rookie of the Year in 2000.
“Don’t ever underestimate the heart of a champion!” – Rudy Tomjanovich during the Rockets’ second championship celebration
Coach Tomjanovich’s strong and loud leadership always prioritized the need for preparation and accountability on all level of the team. Tomjanovich was even hospitalized several times during a season from the exhaustion of always being intense.
As of 2025, Tomjanovich holds the most coached games for the Rockets with 900 games, 503 regular season wins and 51 playoff wins.
San Antonio Spurs: Gregg Popovich
It all started in 1994, when Popovich returned to the Spurs as the general manager and vice president of basketball operations. Shortly after, he signed Avery Johnson and traded for Will Purdue. In 1996, After a 3-15 start, Popovich fired head coach Bob Hill and names himself as the head coach. After that, the rest was history.
“No one is bigger than the team. If you can’t do things our way, you’re not getting time here and we don’t care who you are.” – Gregg Popovich
The Spurs would later win five championships in 1999, 2003, 2005, 2007 and 2014. Those teams being led by some of the greatest players of all time including Tim Duncan, David Robinson, Manu Ginóbili, Tony Parker, and Kawhi Leonard. Popovich was named NBA Coach of the Year in 2003, 2012, and 2014.
Popovich’s coaching philosophy is one that has been passed down too many of his assistant coaches who later became head coaches. Some of those names include Mike Budenholzer, Mike Brown, Ime Udoka, James Borrego, P. J. Carlesimo, Brett Brown, Monty Williams, and Will Hardy. If you add an extended branch, former Spurs players Steve Kerr and Tiago Splitter are both head coaches for the Golden State Warriors and Portland Trail Blazers respectively.
Retiring in 2025, Popovich has cemented himself as one of the great coaches to ever live in basketball and sports history. With the Spurs, he holds the most regular season coaching wins with 1,390 and 170 playoff wins. Popovich succeeded Don Nelson in 2022 for the most regular season wins of any coach all time in the NBA.
Phoenix Suns: Cotton Fitzsimmons
Cotton Fitzsimmons is one of those names you don’t hear as much unless you’re connected to the Pheonix Suns or you were truly around back when he coached. Coach Fitzsimmons had 3 tenures with the team as their head coach and each one left behind a story.
When Fitzsimmons was first hired in 1970, he replaced Jerry Colangelo, he immediately had an effect on the team, leading the Suns to their first winning season with a record of 48–34.
After being fired in 1972, Fitzsimmons held positions with other NBA teams before rejoining the Suns in 1986 with Colangelo in the front office. One of his most memorable trades was sending fan favorite Larry Nance to the Cavaliers in exchange for Kevin Johnson, Mark West, and a future first round pick, who eventually became Dan Majerle, one of the franchise’s most iconic players and another fan favorite. Despite the criticism of the trade, Fitzsimmons proved the critics wrong.
In 1992, Fitzsimmons became the 6th head coach of all time to reach 800 wins. He later won the Coach of the Year award in 1989. By the time he was done coaching, his overall record was 832 wins and 775 losses.
“You’re not going to make me have a bad day,” Simmons continued; “If there’s oxygen on Earth and I’m breathing, it’s going to be a good day.”
Due to his great and lengthy relationship with Colangelo, Fitzsimmons never wanted compensation during any of these tenures as their head coach. Holding almost every title within the organization, his office had a nameplate calling himself the “Vice President of Nothing”.
Honorable Mentions: John MacLeod & Mike D’Antoni
Minnesota Timberwolves: Flip Saunders
This was a very close selection between Saunders and Finch because both of these coaches have made an impact in Minnesota, however coach Saunders for now, will remain as the greatest in franchise history. In order for Finch to claim that title, he’ll most likely need one of his own.
Saunders’ Timberwolves were early first round exists for 7 seasons in a row, but you cannot deny the dominate reign of Kevin Garnett, who won the MVP in 2004, along with being selected to 9 all-star teams while playing for Flip Saunders.
Both Saunders and Finch have a deciding factor in common, they’ve both made it to the conference finals, but fell short. Saunders and the Timberwolves also won the last Midwest Division title in 2004 before it was ceased.
“You got to let your young guys play and the biggest thing is you have to identify if the young player is going to be there or not be there.” – Flip Saunders on rebuilding teams
Chris Finch is currently the Timberwolves head coach, coming off a playoff run that ended in the conference finals against the Oklahoma City Thunder, who later became the 2025 NBA champions. Finch is 202 wins away from surpassing Flip’s all time wins in franchise history.
Honorable Mention: Chris Finch
Oklahoma City Thunder: Mark Daigneault
The Oklahoma City Thunder has seen so many talented rosters, dating back to the Durant-Westbrook-Harden days, however it was never enough to raise a banner. Mark Daigneault was promoted to be the head coach of the Thunder in 2020, he’d finally get the opportunity to take the team in the direction he wanted to, especially being with the organization since 2014.
The Thunder had always improved every season since his debut, their wins would increase, but the development of Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Chet Holmgren, Jaylin Williams, Jalen Williams, and Luguentz Dort would significantly be noticeable.
“We’ve got guys playing for their careers, and you can’t underestimate that.” – Mark Daigneault
After winning Coach of the Year in 2024, Daigneault and the Thunder won their first championship in Oklahoma City in 2025. (for this article, we’re separating the SuperSonics history). In such a short time with the team and with one of the youngest rosters in NBA history, coach Daigneault deserves this title.
Later in this article, you’ll find the Seattle SuperSonics, we didn’t forget!
Honorable Mention: Scott Brooks
Portland Trail Blazers: Jack Ramsay
Dr. Jack Ramsay (Earning a doctorate in education in 1962) is the most successful coach in Portland Trail Blazers history. When Coach Ramsay arrived in Portland in 1976, the franchise had only been around for 6 seasons, they have yet to make a playoff appearance or compile a winning record. Crashing through the ceiling of expectations, the team finished with a 49-33 record in Ramsay’s first season. The roster notably featured Bill Walton, Maurice Lucas, Lionel Hollins, and Johnny Davis.
“Teams that play together beat those with superior players who play more as individuals.” – Jack Ramsay
The Blazers defeated The Chicago Bulls, Denver Nuggets, Los Angeles Lakers, and the Philadelphia 76ers in the 1977 playoffs to become NBA champions, their first in franchise history.
Fun Fact: Ramsay’s daughter Sharon married Jim O’Brien, who was the head coach of the Celtics, 76ers, and Pacers. As of 2025, Ramsay still holds the most regular season wins with 453.
Golden State Warriors: Steve Kerr
One of the greatest NBA dynasties of all time, the Golden State Warriors had young core that would include 2 of the future greatest shooters in Stephen Curry and Klay Thompson and one of the best future defenders of all time in Draymond Green.
Dominating the NBA for 5 consecutive seasons from 2014-2019 that included setting the best regular season record of 73-9, and 5 straight finals appearances, 3 of those would lead to them hanging the championship banners in Oracle. They later won their 4th championship in the Steph era in 2022 against the Boston Celtics.
“It’s different as a coach because you feel responsible for a lot of people. Even though you don’t take a shot, you don’t get a rebound, you feel like you just want people to succeed and you want to help them any way you can.” – Steve Kerr
Coach Kerr and his triangle inspired offense shifted how we play the game, as a result Stephen Curry had back-to-back MVPs, one of them being the first ever unanimous recipient. Draymond Green would later win defensive player of the year in 2017.
Mark Jackson may have laid the foundation down, but Steve Kerr built the structure of the Warriors Dynasty.
Washington Wizards: Dick Motta
Coach Motta left the Chicago Bulls in 1976 to succeed K.C. Jones as the head coach. Later in 1978, The Bullets, led by Wes Unseld, Elvin Hayes, Phil Chenier, and Bob Dandridge finished their season with a 44-38 record and made it the playoffs, reaching the NBA Finals and defeating the Seattle SuperSonics in 7 games to win their first championship.
The Bullets would return to the finals in 1979, but this time were defeated by the SuperSonics in 5 games. Coach Motta holds the most playoff wins in franchise history with 27 as of 2025.
“A coach has to worry not so much about creating motivation, esprit de corps, as about destroying it.” – Dick Motta
Honorable Mention: Gene Shue
Former Teams
Seattle SuperSonics: Lenny Wilkens
The Seattle SuperSonics have too much history that can’t be ignored or mixed in with the Oklahoma City Thunder. Lenny Wilkens is a Seattle legend, he first played for the SuperSonics in 1968, later becoming a player-coach from 1969-1972.
Coach Wilkens would later return as the full-time head coach in 1977, replacing Bob Hopkins. The SuperSonics would reach the finals twice, winning one championship in 1979, defeating the Washington Bullets, who they first lost to in 1978.
Up until the SuperSonics “relocated” in 2008, Coach Wilkens held the most regular season coaching wins with 634 and the second most playoff wins with 37.
Honorable Mention: George Karl
What are your thoughts? Did we get it right? Who would you switch out if you had to make the choice? If you enjoyed the article, please consider subscribing to Behind the Coaching for free!
We will be writing more detailed articles about these particular coaches and more, to dully highlight what they accomplished for our league and basketball as a whole!
Phil Jackson Thumbnail Credit: Nick.mon via Wikimedia Commons
Founder & Managing Editor of Behind the Coaching.