On January 10, Beijing time, the Heat officially announced that the team officially completed an early contract extension with coach Spoelstra. ESPN reported that Spo's contract is for eight years and is worth more than $120 million. After signing, Spo surpassed Popovich (5 years, $80 million) and broke the all-time record for a single coaching contract in the NBA.
Spo is currently the second-longest head coach in the league behind Popovich. Spo was born on November 1, 1970, and by the time this contract expired, he would be in his 60s. Many fans don't know that Spo was the team's starting point guard in high school, playing against Mourning and Kemp.
At that time, Spo received a scholarship to the University of Portland, and he dreamed of making it to the NBA as a player. In four years of college, he averaged 9.2 points, 2.4 rebounds and 4.4 assists per game, plus a height of 1.88 meters, and it was reasonable to lose the election. After graduating from university, he always had to make money, and Spo once ran to sell shoes, and then went to play in the German second division for two years.
In 1995, three years after graduating from university, Spo suffered a serious back injury that ended his playing career. Spoelstra's father, Jon Spoelstra, was the general manager of the Nuggets and Trail Blazers, and has some connections in the league. Dave Wohl, then the Heat's general manager, gave Spo a Xi job: video coordinator.
Also in 1995, Riley became the head coach of the Heat, leaving the Knicks as a disciple Jeff Van Gundy. Riley is a guy who is willing to bring his juniors with him, and he went to the Heat without his own videographer. Coupled with the fact that Spo is also a newcomer, Riley begins to keep an eye on this hard-working young man. Two years later, Spo began working as a teaching assistant.
In 1999, after four years at the Heat, Spo finally stopped having to deal with video every day. He became an assistant coach and scout for the Heat, and in 2001 Spo was promoted to director of scouting for the Heat, and he is still serving as an assistant coach, when he was only 31 years old! In the 2004 offseason, Spo worked hard with Wade and helped the Flash improve his jump shooting ability.
When Spo first joined the Heat, perhaps his father's connections helped him. Later, step by step, Spo relied on his own hard work and talent. In April 2008, Riley ended his coaching career, leaving the Heat coach position to Spo. The rest of the story is also known, in 2010, the Heat formed a big three, and then won two championships.
However, Spo's coaching ability was not recognized by everyone at that time. Fortunately, Heat President Riley gave Spo enough trust, and in 2020 and 2023, the Heat reached the Finals twice! Spo became the seventh coach in NBA history to reach the Finals six times. The all-time number one is Phil Jackson's 13 times, which is outrageous indeed!
Especially in 2023, 7 of the Heat team lost the draft, and they went all the way to the Finals, creating another miracle in the NBA. This team has no champions, no role models, and no enviable talent. That's what Spo is capable of, he always helps players find the best position for them, and there's room for everyone to play.
Finally, I would like to congratulate Spo, this big contract is well deserved!