The best NBA coaches of all time have been instrumental in securing a successful NBA franchise. This is due to the coaches’ ability to unlock the potential of their players while guiding them to winning seasons.
In a league where competition is fierce and the margins for success are razor-thin, the impact of a great coach can be monumental. From guiding young talents who became surefire choices for NBA picks, to maximizing seasoned veterans, the best coaches in NBA history displayed an unparalleled combination of basketball IQ, adaptability, and motivational prowess.
Let’s explore the ten best NBA coaches, highlighting their unique contributions to the game, their coaching philosophies, and the legacies they have left behind.
Whether through innovative strategies or inspiring leadership, these coaches have not only shaped their teams but have also redefined the landscape of professional basketball.
10. Larry Brown
Seasons: 26
Regular Season Record: 1,098-904 (.548)
Championships: 1
Coach of the Year Award: 1
Larry Brown is a former NBA coach, widely regarded as one of the most accomplished and respected coaches in basketball history. Born on September 14, 1940, in New York City, Brown had a lengthy coaching career that spanned over four decades.
He served as the head coach for several NBA teams, including the Denver Nuggets, Indiana Pacers, Philadelphia 76ers, Detroit Pistons, and Charlotte Bobcats.
Brown is perhaps best known for leading the 76ers to the NBA Finals, and the Pistons to the 2004 NBA Championship. The latter solidified his legacy as a championship-winning coach. He is also renowned for his ability to develop players, emphasize defense, and employ traditional basketball strategies and positions.
Throughout his career, Brown was lauded for his basketball IQ and was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 2002. Despite being known for his intense and demanding coaching style, he had a reputation for turning around struggling teams and was highly respected by players and peers alike.
9. Jerry Sloan
Seasons: 26
Regular Season Record: 1,221-803 (.603)
Championships: 0
Coach of the Year Award: 0
Jerry Sloan was a legendary NBA coach and player, best known for his long tenure as the head coach of the Utah Jazz. Born on March 28, 1942, in McLeansboro, Illinois, Sloan played in the NBA from 1965 to 1976, spending most of his career with the Chicago Bulls. After retiring as a player, he transitioned into coaching, where he became one of the most respected figures in the league.
Sloan was the head coach of the Utah Jazz from 1988 to 2011, guiding the team to numerous playoff appearances and building a strong, consistent contender. Under his leadership, the Jazz reached two NBA Finals in 1997 and 1998 but fell short of a championship. Known for his tough, no-nonsense coaching style, Sloan emphasized defense, discipline, and teamwork. He is also considered by the Jazz faithful as one of the best NBA coaches of all time.
Sloan was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 2009 and left a lasting impact on the game with his dedication and leadership. He holds the record for the most wins in Jazz history and is remembered for his loyalty to the team.
8. Chuck Daly
Seasons: 14
Regular Season Record: 638-437 (.593)
Championships: 2
Coach of the Year Award: 0
Chuck Daly was a highly respected NBA coach, best known for leading the Detroit Pistons to back-to-back NBA championships in 1989 and 1990. Born on July 20, 1930, in St. Mary’s, Pennsylvania, Daly had a long and successful career in both college and professional basketball.
He became the head coach of the Pistons in 1983, where he developed the “Bad Boys” — a tough, defensive-minded team led by stars like Isiah Thomas, Joe Dumars, and Bill Laimbeer.
Daly’s coaching style focused on defense, physicality, and team chemistry, and he built a reputation for being a calm, strategic leader. He was also credited for creating the “Jordan Rules”, a tactic the Pistons employed to mitigate Michael Jordan’s effectiveness during their clashes. His strategic acumen has the league recognize Daly as one of the best NBA coaches of all time.
In addition to his NBA success, Daly also coached the U.S. men’s basketball team to a gold medal at the 1992 Barcelona Olympics, where the “Dream Team” — featuring legends like Michael Jordan, Magic Johnson, and Larry Bird — dominated the competition.
Daly was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 1994. His contributions to the game, both at the NBA level and internationally, left a lasting legacy in basketball history.
7. Don Nelson
Seasons: 31
Regular Season Record: 1,335-1,063 (.557)
Championships: 0
Coach of the Year Award: 3
Don Nelson is a former NBA coach and player, renowned for his innovative coaching and transformative impact on the game. Born on May 15, 1940, in Muskegon, Michigan, Nelson played 14 seasons in the NBA before transitioning into coaching.
He became the head coach of the Milwaukee Bucks in 1976 and went on to coach several teams, including the Golden State Warriors, Dallas Mavericks, and New York Knicks.
Nelson is best known for popularizing a fast-paced, offense-driven style of play and for his unconventional use of small-ball lineups. His coaching philosophy emphasized versatility, creativity, and player freedom, making him one of the most forward-thinking coaches in NBA history.
He led the Warriors to multiple successful seasons and was instrumental in building the Mavericks into a playoff contender. Namely, Nelson’s “mad scientist” approach regarding lineups made him a dynamic factor for bettors picking players on his team. This is especially true for NBA player props.
As the NBA’s all-time winningest coach by the end of his career, Nelson also earned a reputation for developing talented players and adapting to changing styles of play. He was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 2012, cementing his legacy as one of the game’s most influential figures.
6. K.C. Jones
Seasons: 10
Regular Season Record: 522-252 (.674)
Championships: 2
Coach of the Year Award: 0
K.C. Jones was a legendary NBA player and coach, best known for his success with the Boston Celtics. Born on May 25, 1932, in Enid, Oklahoma, Jones played for the Celtics from 1958 to 1967, winning eight NBA championships as a player during the team’s dominant era. Known for his defense and leadership, Jones was a key part of Boston’s dynasty alongside stars like Bill Russell and John Havlicek.
After retiring as a player, Jones transitioned to coaching, where he had a successful career, most notably as the head coach of the Boston Celtics. He coached the team from 1983 to 1988 and led them to an NBA championship in 1986. Jones was known for his defensive-minded coaching style and his ability to manage and motivate players effectively.
Jones was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 1989. His legacy as both a player and coach has made him one of the most respected figures in basketball history.
5. Steve Kerr
Seasons: 8*
Regular Season Record: 417-184 (.694)*
Championships: 4
Coach of the Year Award: 1
*before start of 2024-25 season
Steve Kerr is a highly successful NBA coach and former player, best known for his leadership of the Golden State Warriors. Born on September 27, 1965, in Beirut, Lebanon, Kerr was a sharp-shooting guard, winning five NBA championships—three with the Chicago Bulls (1996-1998) and two with the San Antonio Spurs (1999, 2003).
Kerr transitioned to coaching in 2014, becoming the head coach of the Warriors. Under his leadership, the team became one of the most dominant forces in the NBA. The Warriors won championships in 2015, 2017, 2018, 2022, and set a league-record 73 wins in the 2015-16 season.
Kerr is known for promoting a fast-paced, three-point-heavy offensive system and his emphasis on team chemistry and ball movement. Such a style is preferred by NBA sports betting experts, since it gives the team’s players more chances to score and contribute.
He was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame as a player in 2016. Moreover, Kerr stands as one of six coaches to win three or more NBA championships.
Kerr’s impact on the game as both a coach and player has made him one of the most influential figures in modern basketball.
4. Gregg Popovich
Seasons: 26*
Regular Season Record: 1,330-687 (.661)*
Championships: 5
Coach of the Year Award: 3
*before start of 2024-25 season
Gregg Popovich is one of the most successful and respected NBA coaches in history. Popovich became the head coach of the San Antonio Spurs in 1996, a position he still holds today.
Over his tenure, he built the Spurs into one of the most consistent and successful franchises in NBA history. Popovich led them to five NBA championships (1999, 2003, 2005, 2007, and 2014). Whether his team is contending, or in the process of rebuilding, NBA betting sites are keen on keeping an eye out on the Spurs. This is due to the fact that Popovich expects his players to compete every single night.
Known for his focus on team-oriented play, disciplined defense, and unselfish ball movement, Popovich’s coaching philosophy emphasizes trust, respect, and adaptability. His leadership helped develop stars like Tim Duncan, Tony Parker, and Manu Ginóbili, creating one of the most successful trios in NBA history.
Popovich won NBA Coach of the Year three times, and holds the record for the most wins by a coach with a single team. In 2021, he became the winningest coach in NBA history by total career victories, further cementing his legacy as one of the greatest to ever coach the game.
3. Pat Riley
Seasons: 24
Regular Season Record: 1,210-694 (.636)
Championships: 5
Coach of the Year Award: 3
Pat Riley is a highly influential NBA coach, executive, and former player. Riley played for the NBA’s San Diego Rockets (later the Houston Rockets) and the Los Angeles Lakers. He won an NBA championship in the 1971-72 season with the Lakers before transitioning into coaching.
Riley became the head coach of the Lakers in 1981. This resulted in four NBA championships (1982, 1985, 1987, and 1988). Riley’s “Show Time” coaching with the Lakers emphasized fast-paced, high-scoring basketball.
After that, Riley coached the Miami Heat, where he won another championship in 2006. Riley’s intense coaching style, defensive-minded strategies, and ability to motivate players, is his signature. His coaching acumen ranks him high as one of the best NBA coaches of all time.
Beyond coaching, Riley served as the Miami Heat’s team president, where he continued to build a competitive franchise. He was pivotal in overseeing the acquisition of stars like LeBron James, Dwyane Wade, and Chris Bosh. These acquisitions led to two more championships in 2012 and 2013.
Riley’s impact as a coach and executive made him one of the most iconic figures in NBA history. This resulted in his induction into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 2008,
2. Red Auerbach
Seasons: 20
Regular Season Record: 938-479 (.662)
Championships: 9
Coach of the Year Award: 1
Red Auerbach was a legendary NBA coach and executive, widely regarded as one of the greatest minds in basketball history. Starting in 1950, Auerbach was head coach for the Celtics. In 16 years, he led the Celtics to nine NBA championships (1957, 1959-1966).
Emphatically, their championship run made them the most dominant team in the league during that era. His innovative coaching strategies and emphasis on fast breaks, unselfish ball movement, and strong defense revolutionized the game.
Auerbach’s success for building championship teams is legendary. He mentored Hall of Famers like Bill Russell, Bob Cousy, and John Havlicek, and led their teams to championships. After stepping down as head coach, Auerbach continued his success as an executive. Part of his roles was overseeing the Celtics’ front office and contributing to the team’s legacy.
Inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 1969, Auerbach’s influence on the game is immeasurable. His fiery personality, leadership, and ability to adapt to the evolving game left an indelible mark on the NBA. Auerbach’s accolades cemented his place as one of the best NBA coaches of all time.
1. Phil Jackson
Seasons: 20
Regular Season Record: 1,155-485 (.704)
Championships: 11
Coach of the Year Award: 1
Phil Jackson is one of the most successful and respected NBA coaches in history. Jackson’s leadership and ability to manage superstar players is legendary. Before coaching, Jackson played in the NBA for the New York Knicks, winning two championships in 1970 and 1973.
After retiring as a player, he transitioned into coaching and became famous for his use of the “Triangle Offense”. Moreover, Jackson’s coaching emphasizes team chemistry, mindfulness, and leadership.
His incredible success with the Chicago Bulls and Los Angeles Lakers are highlights of his coaching career. He won six NBA championships with the Bulls in the 1990s, coaching Michael Jordan, Scottie Pippen, and others. During their dynastic run, the Bulls were the NBA odds on favorite to reach the Finals and win it all.
He won five championships with the Lakers, coaching Kobe Bryant, Shaquille O’Neal, and other stars. With 11 NBA championships as a head coach, Jackson holds the most titles by any coach in NBA history. Jackson’s signature calm demeanor and ability to manage egos was essential during his championship runs.
The Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame enshrined Jackson in 2007. Jackson’s influence on the game solidifies his legacy as one of the best NBA coaches of all time.