Becoming the head coach of an NBA team is a rare opportunity that only a few people can get. Whether they play in the league or not, these coaches must have an in-depth understanding of the game at the highest level.
Some coaches, such as Yudoka, Billy Donovan, Jason Kidd, Steve Cole, Rick Carlisle, Taryn Lue, Willie Green, Jamal Mosley, Monty Williams and Chauncey Billups, have backgrounds as retired players. Currently, however, some of the NBA's most accomplished coaches have never played as players.
1. Greg Popovich
Greg Popovich, one of the best coaches in NBA history, turned out to be no NBA player. Popovich had never played professional basketball, but he had played for the Air Force Academy.
Popovich's coaching career has seen the San Antonio Spurs win five NBA championships. During his coaching career, he has had the privilege of coaching famous NBA stars such as Tim Duncan, David Robinson, Manu Ginobili, Tony Parker and Kawhi Leonard.
In addition, Popovich's coaching tree is known for developing top coaches, including Mike Budenholzer, May Yudoka, Taylor Jenkins, Monty Williams, Steve Cole, and Doug Rivers.
Greg Popovich began his NBA journey in 1987-88 when he joined Larry Brown as the Spurs' chief assistant coach. He held that position from 1988 to 1992.
However, in 1992, the entire coaching staff, including Popovich, was sacked by team owner Red McCombs. That left Popovich briefly as an assistant coach to future Hall of Famer Don Nelson with the Golden State Warriors.
In 1994, he returned to San Antonio as General Manager and Vice President of Basketball Operations. The 1996–97 season had a difficult start to the Spurs, and on December 10, 1996, Popovich decided to sack Bob Hill and take on the role of head coach himself.
The Spurs recently announced that Popovich, who is also the team's president of basketball operations, has extended his contract with the team for another 5 years.
While the specific terms of the deal were not disclosed, it would extend Popovich's tenure in San Antonio until the 2027-28 season. According to Adrian Wonarowski, the deal is worth more than $80 million, making it the largest deal for a coach in NBA history.
Popovich was inducted into the Hall of Fame in August 2023, becoming the most won coach in NBA history.
2. Eric Spoelstra
Eric Spoelstra, who led the Miami Heat to two NBA championships, ended his career with the University of Portland in 1992.
In addition to his two championships, Spoelstra is known for instilling the spirit of chicken soup in his team and creating a culture in Miami where lesser-known players can stand out too.
Spoelstra began his career with the Heat in 1995 as a video coordinator. A few years later, he took on the role of assistant coach and video coordinator.
In 1999, he was promoted to assistant coach and senior scout. In April 2008, he became the team's head coach after Pat Riley chose him as his successor.
Last season, he led the eighth-placed Heat to the NBA Finals.
3. Michael Mallon
Michael Malone, coach of the Denver Nuggets, has no NBA career experience, but he has an extensive coaching background. He is the son of former NBA head coach Brandon Malone.
During the 2013-14 season, Malone served as head coach of the Sacramento Kings. Prior to that, he served as an assistant coach for several NBA teams, including the New York Knicks, Cleveland Cavaliers, New Orleans Hornets, and Golden State Warriors.
Last season, his Nuggets won the team's first championship.
4. Frank Vogel
Frank Vogel, the new coach of the Phoenix Suns, has not played in the NBA. The last time he played basketball was with the University of Kentucky Wildcats.
Vogel began his coaching career as the Boston Celtics' chief video coordinator and was later promoted to assistant coach. After leaving Boston, he became an assistant coach for the Philadelphia 76ers. Vogel worked as an early scout with the Los Angeles Lakers and the Washington Wizards from 2005 to 2006.
In 2007, Vogel became an assistant coach for the Indiana Pacers, coached by former Celtics colleague Jim O'Brien. After O'Brien was fired on January 30, 2011, Vogel was named interim coach to lead the Pacers to the playoffs. On July 6, 2011, he was officially named head coach of the Pacers.
Vogel later became a coach for the Orlando Magic in May 2016. After being fired by the Magic in April 2018, Vogel was hired as a coach for the Los Angeles Lakers in May 2019 and won the NBA championship in 2020. However, he was fired by the Lakers in April 2022.
On June 6, 2023, Frank Vogel was hired as a coach for the Phoenix Suns.
5. Mike Brown
Mike Brown's NBA career began with the Denver Nuggets in 1992, where he spent five seasons as video coordinator and scout. He then served as an assistant coach for several NBA teams, including the Washington Wizards, San Antonio Spurs, and Indiana Pacers.
In 2005, Brown became the head coach of the Cleveland Cavaliers and received the Coach of the Year award in 2009. However, he was dismissed in May 2010. In May 2011, Brown was named head coach of the Los Angeles Lakers, but was fired after playing just five games, one of the fastest coaching changes in NBA history.
In 2013, he returned to the Cleveland Cavaliers, but was fired again a year later. Brown then served as an assistant coach for the Golden State Warriors, contributing to the team's three-time NBA championship win.
In May 2022, Brown was named coach of the Sacramento Kings. Under his leadership, the Kings achieved an impressive 48-34 record and secured a playoff finish for the first time since 2006. In 2023, Mike Brown was named NBA Coach of the Year, passing unanimously by 100 votes, becoming the first person to receive the award unanimously.
Friends who like it can follow me and share more NBA related with you every day!