List of NBA head coaches with 500 games coached

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The National Basketball Association (NBA) is a major professional basketball league in North America. It was founded in 1946 as the Basketball Association of America (BAA).[1] The league adopted its current name at the start of the 1949–50 NBA season when it merged with the National Basketball League (NBL).[2] The league consists of 30 teams, of which 29 are located in the United States and one in Canada.

An older man, wearing a black suit, is standing in front of a white background with text on it.
Gregg Popovich was inducted into the Basketball Hall of Fame in 2023. Popovich leads the NBA for the most regular season game wins.

In the NBA, a head coach is the highest ranking coach of a coaching staff. They typically hold a more public profile and are paid more than the assistant coaches. Lenny Wilkens has coached the most regular season games. He has coached 2,487 games with six teams in 32 seasons. Gregg Popovich has won the most regular season games with 1,390. Don Nelson, Bill Fitch, Jerry Sloan, Larry Brown and Doc Rivers are the only other coaches who have coached more than 2,000 regular season games. 33 other head coaches have coached more than 1,000 regular season games. Three of those coaches, Gregg Popovich, Al Attles and Erik Spoelstra, have spent their entire coaching career with one team. Gregg Popovich has coached 2,214 regular season games with the San Antonio Spurs in his 29 years career, Al Attles has coached 1,075 regular season games with the Golden State Warriors in his 14 years career, and Spoelstra has coached 1,359 regular season games with the Miami Heat in his 17 years career.

As of May 2, 2025, Gregg Popovich has the most regular season games coached (2,214) with one team, during his 29 years career with the San Antonio Spurs. He also has the record of most game wins when combining regular season and postseason games with 1,560 wins. Larry Brown has coached 9 different teams, the highest number of teams coached among the head coaches.[3]

Former Chicago Bulls and Los Angeles Lakers head coach Phil Jackson won 11 NBA championships, the most in NBA history. He is the only coach who has won multiple championships with multiple teams. He won six titles with the Chicago Bulls and five titles with the Los Angeles Lakers. He also leads the NBA for the most postseason games coached and the most postseason wins. Red Auerbach won nine championships with the Boston Celtics. He won his first title in 1957 before winning eight consecutive titles from 1959 to 1966. John Kundla, Pat Riley and Gregg Popovich have each won five championships. Gregg Popovich won all of his titles coaching the San Antonio Spurs as John Kundla won all of his titles with the Los Angeles Lakers, while Pat Riley won four titles with the Los Angeles Lakers and one with the Miami Heat. Don Nelson, Gregg Popovich and Pat Riley each won the Coach of the Year Award three times, while Bill Fitch, Hubie Brown, Mike Brown, Mike Budenholzer, Mike D'Antoni, Cotton Fitzsimmons, Gene Shue and Tom Thibodeau have each won it twice. 23 NBA head coaches (Rick Adelman, Red Auerbach, Larry Brown, Chuck Daly, Billy Donovan, Bill Fitch, Cotton Fitzsimmons, Alex Hannum, Tom Heinsohn, Red Holzman, Phil Jackson, George Karl, John Kundla, Don Nelson, Gregg Popovich, Jack Ramsay, Pat Riley, Doc Rivers, Bill Russell, Bill Sharman, Jerry Sloan, Rudy Tomjanovich and Lenny Wilkens) have earned induction into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame as a coach.[4][5] Red Auerbach, Chuck Daly, Bill Fitch, Red Holzman, Phil Jackson, John Kundla, Don Nelson, Jack Ramsay, Pat Riley and Lenny Wilkens were named in the list of Top 10 Coaches in NBA History announced at the league's 50th anniversary in 1996.[6] Larry Brown, Gregg Popovich, Jerry Sloan, Erik Spoelstra, K. C. Jones, Steve Kerr and Doc Rivers joined Red Auerbach, Chuck Daly, Red Holzman, Phil Jackson, Don Nelson, Jack Ramsay, Pat Riley and Lenny Wilkens on the updated list of 15 Greatest Coaches in NBA History, announced during the league's 75th anniversary in 2021.[7]

This list includes all head coaches who have coached at least 500 games in the NBA or BAA. The list does not include games in the American Basketball Association (ABA) for head coaches who coached in the ABA prior to the ABA–NBA merger.

Key

Yrs Number of years coached
GC Games coached
W Wins
L Losses
Win% Winning percentage
^ Denotes coach who is currently coaching an NBA team
* Elected to the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame as a coach
* Elected to the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame as a contributor
*^ Active NBA coach who has been elected to the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame

List

Statistics accurate as of the 2025–26 NBA season.

More information Coach, Team(s) coached (years)[a] ...
Coach Team(s) coached (years)[a] Yrs GC W L Win% GC W L Win% Championships won[b] Coach of the Year award(s) won[a] Ref.
Regular season Playoffs
Rick Adelman*  • Portland Trail Blazers (1989–1994)
 • Golden State Warriors (1996–1997)
 • Sacramento Kings (1998–2006)
 • Houston Rockets (2007–2011)
 • Minnesota Timberwolves (2011–2014)		 23 1,791 1,042 749 .582 157 79 78 .503 None None [8]
Stan Albeck  • Cleveland Cavaliers (1979–1980)
 • San Antonio Spurs (1980–1983)
 • New Jersey Nets (1983–1985)
 • Chicago Bulls (1985–1986)		 7 574 307 267 .535 44 18 26 .409 None None [9]
Al Attles*  • San Francisco / Golden State Warriors (1970–1982) 14 1,075 557 518 .518 61 31 30 .508 1 (1975) None [10]
Red Auerbach*  • Washington Capitols (1946–1949)
 • Tri-Cities Blackhawks (1949–1950)
 • Boston Celtics (1950–1966)		 20 1,417 938 479 .662 168 99 69 .589 9 (1957, 1959, 1960, 1961, 1962, 1963, 1964, 1965, 1966) 1 (1965) [11]
Bernie Bickerstaff  • Seattle SuperSonics (1985–1990)
 • Denver Nuggets (1995–1996)
 • Washington Bullets / Wizards (1997–1999)
 • Charlotte Bobcats (2004–2007)
 • Los Angeles Lakers (2012)		 14 937 419 518 .447 33 12 21 .364 None None [12]
J. B. Bickerstaff^  • Houston Rockets (2015–2016)
 • Memphis Grizzlies (2017–2019)
 • Cleveland Cavaliers (2020–2024)
 • Detroit Pistons (2024–present)		 10 709 359 350 .506 28 9 19 .321 None None [13]
Scott Brooks  • Oklahoma City Thunder (2008–2015)
 • Washington Wizards (2016–2021)		 12 935 521 414 .557 97 49 48 .505 None 1 (2010) [14]
Brett Brown  • Philadelphia 76ers (2013–2020) 7 565 221 344 .391 26 12 14 .462 None None [15]
Hubie Brown*  • Atlanta Hawks (1976–1981)
 • New York Knicks (1982–1987)
 • Memphis Grizzlies (2002–2004)		 13 919 424 495 .461 38 14 24 .368 None 2 (1978, 2004) [16]
Larry Brown*  • Denver Nuggets (1976–1979)
 • New Jersey Nets (1981–1983)
 • San Antonio Spurs (1988–1992)
 • Los Angeles Clippers (1992–1993)
 • Indiana Pacers (1993–1997)
 • Philadelphia 76ers (1997–2003)
 • Detroit Pistons (2003–2005)
 • New York Knicks (2005–2006)
 • Charlotte Bobcats (2008–2010)		 26 2,002 1,098 904 .548 193 100 93 .518 1 (2004) 1 (2001) [17]
Mike Brown^  • Cleveland Cavaliers (2005–2010, 2013–2014)
 • Los Angeles Lakers (2011–2012)
 • Sacramento Kings (2022–2024)
 • New York Knicks (2025–present)		 12 840 507 333 .604 90 50 40 .556 None 2 (2009, 2023) [18]
Mike Budenholzer  • Atlanta Hawks (2013–2018)
 • Milwaukee Bucks (2018–2023)
 • Phoenix Suns (2024–2025)		 11 883 520 363 .589 104 56 48 .538 1 (2021) 2 (2015, 2019) [19]
P. J. Carlesimo  • Portland Trail Blazers (1994–1997)
 • Golden State Warriors (1997–1999)
 • Seattle SuperSonics / Oklahoma City Thunder (2007–2008)
 • Brooklyn Nets (2012–2013)		 9 554 239 315 .431 19 6 13 .316 None None [20]
Rick Carlisle^  • Detroit Pistons (2001–2003)
 • Indiana Pacers (2003–2007, 2021–present)
 • Dallas Mavericks (2008–2021)		 24 1,935 1,012 923 .523 173 86 87 .497 1 (2011) 1 (2002) [21]
Dwane Casey  • Minnesota Timberwolves (2005–2007)
 • Toronto Raptors (2011–2018)
 • Detroit Pistons (2018–2023)
 14 1,064 494 570 .464 55 21 34 .382 None 1 (2018) [22]
Al Cervi  • Syracuse Nationals (1949–1956)
 • Philadelphia Warriors (1958–1959)		 9 567 326 241 .575 59 33 26 .559 1 (1955) None [23]
Don Chaney  • Los Angeles Clippers (1985–1987)
 • Houston Rockets (1988–1992)
 • Detroit Pistons (1993–1995)
 • New York Knicks (2001–2004)		 12 831 337 494 .406 11 2 9 .182 None 1 (1991) [24]
Maurice Cheeks  • Portland Trail Blazers (2001–2004)
 • Philadelphia 76ers (2005–2008)
 • Detroit Pistons (2013–2014)		 9 620 305 315 .492 16 5 11 .313 None None [25]
Steve Clifford  • Charlotte Bobcats / Hornets (2013–2018, 2022–2024)
 • Orlando Magic (2018–2021)		 10 801 340 461 .424 21 5 16 .238 None None [26]
Doug Collins*  • Chicago Bulls (1986–1989)
 • Detroit Pistons (1995–1998)
 • Washington Wizards (2001–2003)
 • Philadelphia 76ers (2010–2013)		 11 849 442 407 .521 56 23 33 .411 None None [27]
Larry Costello*  • Milwaukee Bucks (1968–1976)
 • Chicago Bulls (1978–1979)		 10 730 430 300 .589 60 37 23 .617 1 (1971) None [28]
Billy Cunningham  • Philadelphia 76ers (1977–1985) 8 650 454 196 .698 105 66 39 .629 1 (1983) None [29]
Mike D'Antoni*  • Denver Nuggets (1998–1999)
 • Phoenix Suns (2003–2008)
 • New York Knicks (2008–2012)
 • Los Angeles Lakers (2012–2014)
 • Houston Rockets (2016–2020)		 16 1,199 672 527 .560 110 54 56 .491 None 2 (2005, 2017) [30]
Chuck Daly*  • Cleveland Cavaliers (1981–1982)
 • Detroit Pistons (1983–1992)
 • New Jersey Nets (1992–1994)
 • Orlando Magic (1997–1999)		 14 1,075 638 437 .593 126 75 51 .595 2 (1989, 1990) None [31]
Billy Donovan^*  • Oklahoma City Thunder (2015–2020)
 • Chicago Bulls (2020–present)		 11 882 469 413 .532 46 19 27 .413 None None [32]
Mike Dunleavy  • Los Angeles Lakers (1990–1992)
 • Milwaukee Bucks (1992–1996)
 • Portland Trail Blazers (1997–2001)
 • Los Angeles Clippers (2003–2010)		 17 1,329 613 716 .461 71 38 33 .535 None 1 (1999) [33]
Bill Fitch*  • Cleveland Cavaliers (1970–1979)
 • Boston Celtics (1979–1983)
 • Houston Rockets (1983–1988)
 • New Jersey Nets (1989–1992)
 • Los Angeles Clippers (1994–1998)		 25 2,050 944 1,106 .460 109 55 54 .505 1 (1981) 2 (1976, 1980) [34]
Cotton Fitzsimmons*  • Phoenix Suns (1970–1972, 1988–1992, 1996)
 • Atlanta Hawks (1972–1976)
 • Buffalo Braves (1977–1978)
 • Kansas City Kings (1978–1984)
 • San Antonio Spurs (1984–1986)		 21 1,607 832 775 .518 84 35 49 .417 None 2 (1979, 1989) [35]
Chris Ford  • Boston Celtics (1990–1995)
 • Milwaukee Bucks (1996–1998)
 • Los Angeles Clippers (1998–2000)
 • Philadelphia 76ers (2004)		 10 699 323 376 .462 29 13 16 .448 None None [36]
Lawrence Frank  • New Jersey Nets (2004–2009)
 • Detroit Pistons (2011–2013)		 9 614 279 335 .454 38 18 20 .474 None None [37]
Mike Fratello  • Atlanta Hawks (1981, 1983–1990)
 • Cleveland Cavaliers (1993–1999)
 • Memphis Grizzlies (2004–2006)		 17 1,215 667 548 .549 62 20 42 .323 None 1 (1986) [38]
Alvin Gentry  • Miami Heat (1995)
 • Detroit Pistons (1998–2000)
 • Los Angeles Clippers (2000–2003)
 • Phoenix Suns (2009–2013)
 • New Orleans Pelicans (2015–2020)
 • Sacramento Kings (2021–2022)		 18 1,170 534 636 .456 30 17 13 .567 None None [39]
Edward Gottlieb*  • Philadelphia Warriors (1946–1955) 9 581 263 318 .453 32 15 17 .469 1 (1947) None [40]
Richie Guerin  • St. Louis / Atlanta Hawks (1964–1972) 8 618 327 291 .529 60 26 34 .433 None 1 (1968) [41]
Matt Guokas  • Philadelphia 76ers (1985–1988)
 • Orlando Magic (1989–1993)		 7 535 230 305 .430 17 8 9 .471 None None [42]
Alex Hannum*  • St. Louis Hawks (1957–1958)
 • Syracuse Nationals / Philadelphia 76ers (1960–1963, 1966–1968)
 • San Francisco Warriors (1963–1966)
 • San Diego Rockets (1969–1971)		 12 883 471 412 .533 79 45 34 .570 2 (1958, 1967) 1 (1964) [43]
Del Harris*  • Houston Rockets (1979–1983)
 • Milwaukee Bucks (1987–1991)
 • Los Angeles Lakers (1994–1999)		 14 1,013 556 457 .549 88 38 50 .432 None 1 (1995) [44]
Tom Heinsohn*  • Boston Celtics (1969–1978) 9 690 427 263 .619 80 47 33 .588 2 (1974, 1976) 1 (1973) [45]
Bob Hill  • New York Knicks (1986–1987)
 • Indiana Pacers (1990–1993)
 • San Antonio Spurs (1994–1996)
 • Seattle SuperSonics (2006–2007)		 9 603 310 293 .514 37 17 20 .459 None None [46]
Brian Hill  • Orlando Magic (1993–1997, 2005–2007)
 • Vancouver Grizzlies (1997–1999)		 9 613 298 315 .486 40 18 22 .450 None None [47]
Lionel Hollins  • Vancouver / Memphis Grizzlies (1999–2000, 2004, 2009–2013)
 • Brooklyn Nets (2014–2016)		 9 534 262 272 .491 41 20 21 .488 None None [48]
Red Holzman*  • Milwaukee / St. Louis Hawks (1954–1957)
 • New York Knicks (1967–1977, 1978–1982)		 18 1,300 696 604 .535 105 58 47 .552 2 (1970, 1973) 1 (1970) [49]
Phil Jackson*  • Chicago Bulls (1989–1998)
 • Los Angeles Lakers (1999–2004, 2005–2011)		 20 1,640 1,155 485 .704 333 229 104 .688 11 (1991, 1992, 1993, 1996, 1997, 1998, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2009, 2010) 1 (1996) [50]
Phil Johnson  • Kansas City-Omaha / Kansas City / Sacramento Kings (1973–1978, 1984–1987)
 • Chicago Bulls (1982)		 9 543 236 307 .435 9 2 7 .222 None 1 (1975) [51]
K. C. Jones  • Capital / Washington Bullets (1973–1976)
 • Boston Celtics (1983–1988)
 • Seattle SuperSonics (1990–1992)		 10 774 522 252 .674 138 81 57 .587 2 (1984, 1986) None [52]
Eddie Jordan  • Sacramento Kings (1997–1998)
 • Washington Wizards (2003–2008)
 • Philadelphia 76ers (2009–2010)		 9 600 257 343 .428 26 8 18 .308 None None [53]
George Karl*  • Cleveland Cavaliers (1984–1986)
 • Golden State Warriors (1986–1988)
 • Seattle SuperSonics (1992–1998)
 • Milwaukee Bucks (1998–2003)
 • Denver Nuggets (2005–2013)
 • Sacramento Kings (2015–2016)		 27 1,999 1,175 824 .588 185 80 105 .432 None 1 (2013) [54]
Steve Kerr^  • Golden State Warriors (2014–present) 12 957 604 353 .631 152 104 48 .684 4 (2015, 2017, 2018, 2022) 1 (2016) [55]
Jason Kidd^  • Brooklyn Nets (2013–2014)
 • Milwaukee Bucks (2014–2018)
 • Dallas Mavericks (2021–present)		 10 783 388 395 .496 64 31 33 .484 None None [56]
John Kundla*  • Minneapolis Lakers (1948–1958, 1958–1959) 11 725 423 302 .583 95 60 35 .632 5 (1949, 1950, 1952, 1953, 1954) None [57]
Joe Lapchick  • New York Knicks (1947–1956) 9 573 326 247 .569 60 30 30 .500 None None [58]
Frank Layden  • Utah Jazz (1981–1988) 8 571 277 294 .485 41 18 23 .439 None 1 (1984) [59]
Kevin Loughery  • Philadelphia 76ers (1973)
 • New York / New Jersey Nets (1976–1980)
 • Atlanta Hawks (1981–1983)
 • Chicago Bulls (1983–1985)
 • Washington Bullets (1986–1988)
 • Miami Heat (1991–1995)		 17 1,136 474 662 .417 27 6 21 .222 None None [60]
Tyronn Lue^  • Cleveland Cavaliers (2016–2018)
 • Los Angeles Clippers (2020–present)		 10 693 404 289 .583 98 57 41 .582 1 (2016) None [61]
Jim Lynam  • San Diego / Los Angeles Clippers (1983–1985)
 • Philadelphia 76ers (1988–1992)
 • Washington Bullets (1994–1997)		 10 720 328 392 .456 21 8 13 .381 None None [62]
John MacLeod  • Phoenix Suns (1973–1987)
 • Dallas Mavericks (1987–1989)
 • New York Knicks (1990–1991)		 18 1,364 707 657 .518 101 47 54 .465 None None [63]
Michael Malone  • Sacramento Kings (2013–2014)
 • Denver Nuggets (2015–2025)		 12 904 510 394 .564 80 44 36 .550 1 (2023) None [64]
Jack McMahon  • Chicago Zephyrs (1962)
 • Cincinnati Royals (1963–1967)
 • San Diego Rockets (1967–1969)		 8 549 260 289 .474 29 10 19 .345 None None [65]
Nate McMillan  • Seattle SuperSonics (2000–2005)
 • Portland Trail Blazers (2005–2012)
 • Indiana Pacers (2016–2020)
 • Atlanta Hawks (2021–2023)		 19 1,428 760 668 .532 76 28 48 .368 None None [66]
Doug Moe  • San Antonio Spurs (1976–1980)
 • Denver Nuggets (1980–1990)
 • Philadelphia 76ers (1992–1993)		 15 1,157 628 529 .543 83 33 50 .398 None 1 (1988) [67]
Dick Motta  • Chicago Bulls (1968–1976)
 • Washington Bullets (1976–1980)
 • Dallas Mavericks (1980–1987, 1994–1996)
 • Sacramento Kings (1990–1991)
 • Denver Nuggets (1996–1997)		 25 1,952 935 1,017 .479 126 56 70 .444 1 (1978) 1 (1971) [68]
Don Nelson*  • Milwaukee Bucks (1976–1987)
 • Golden State Warriors (1988–1995, 2006–2010)
 • New York Knicks (1995–1996)
 • Dallas Mavericks (1997–2005)		 31 2,398 1,335 1,063 .557 166 75 91 .452 None 3 (1983, 1985, 1992) [69]
Tom Nissalke  • Seattle SuperSonics (1972–1973)
 • Houston Rockets (1976–1979)
 • Utah Jazz (1979–1981)
 • Cleveland Cavaliers (1982–1984)		 9 639 248 391 .388 14 6 8 .429 None 1 (1977) [70]
Nick Nurse^  • Toronto Raptors (2018–2023)
 • Philadelphia 76ers (2023–present)		 8 636 343 293 .539 47 27 20 .574 1 (2019) 1 (2020) [71]
Jim O'Brien  • Boston Celtics (2001–2004)
 • Philadelphia 76ers (2004–2005)
 • Indiana Pacers (2007–2011)		 9 630 303 327 .481 31 14 17 .452 None None [72]
Gregg Popovich*  • San Antonio Spurs (1996–2025) 29 2,214 1,390 824 .628 284 170 114 .599 5 (1999, 2003, 2005, 2007, 2014) 3 (2003, 2012, 2014) [73]
Jack Ramsay*  • Philadelphia 76ers (1969–1972)
 • Buffalo Braves (1973–1976)
 • Portland Trail Blazers (1977–1986)
 • Indiana Pacers (1986–1988)		 21 1,647 864 783 .525 102 44 58 .431 1 (1977) None [74]
Pat Riley*  • Los Angeles Lakers (1981–1990)
 • New York Knicks (1991–1995)
 • Miami Heat (1995–2003, 2005–2008)		 24 1,904 1,210 694 .636 282 171 111 .606 5 (1982, 1985, 1987, 1988, 2006) 3 (1990, 1993, 1997) [75]
Doc Rivers*  • Orlando Magic (1999–2003)
 • Boston Celtics (2004–2013)
 • Los Angeles Clippers (2013–2020)
 • Philadelphia 76ers (2020–2023)
 • Milwaukee Bucks (2024–2026)		 27 2,059 1,194 866 .580 226 114 112 .504 1 (2008) 1 (2000) [76]
Bill Russell*  • Boston Celtics (1966–1969)
 • Seattle SuperSonics (1973–1977)
 • Sacramento Kings (1987–1988)		 8 631 341 290 .540 61 34 27 .557 2 (1968, 1969) None [77]
Flip Saunders  • Minnesota Timberwolves (1995–2005, 2014–2015)
 • Detroit Pistons (2005–2008)
 • Washington Wizards (2009–2012)		 17 1,246 654 592 .525 98 47 51 .480 None None [78]
Fred Schaus  • Los Angeles Lakers (1960–1967) 7 560 315 245 .563 71 33 38 .465 None None [79]
Byron Scott  • New Jersey Nets (2000–2004)
 • New Orleans Hornets (2004–2009)
 • Cleveland Cavaliers (2010–2013)
 • Los Angeles Lakers (2014–2016)		 15 1,101 454 647 .412 57 33 24 .579 None 1 (2008) [80]
Paul Seymour  • Syracuse Nationals (1956–1960)
 • St. Louis Hawks (1960–1961)
 • Baltimore Bullets (1965–1966)
 • Detroit Pistons (1968–1969)		 8 512 271 241 .529 35 14 21 .400 None None [81]
Bill Sharman*  • San Francisco Warriors (1966–1968)
 • Los Angeles Lakers (1971–1976)		 7 573 333 240 .581 62 35 27 .565 1 (1972) 1 (1972) [82]
Gene Shue  • Baltimore / Washington Bullets (1966–1973, 1980–1986)
 • Philadelphia 76ers (1973–1977)
 • San Diego / Los Angeles Clippers (1978–1979, 1987–1989)		 22 1,645 784 861 .477 77 30 47 .390 None 2 (1969, 1982) [83]
Paul Silas  • San Diego Clippers (1980–1983)
 • Charlotte Hornets / Bobcats (1999–2002, 2010–2012)
 • New Orleans Hornets (2002–2003)
 • Cleveland Cavaliers (2003–2005)		 12 875 387 488 .442 29 13 16 .448 None None [84]
Scott Skiles  • Phoenix Suns (1999–2002)
 • Chicago Bulls (2003–2007)
 • Milwaukee Bucks (2008–2013)
 • Orlando Magic (2015–2016)		 14 958 478 480 .499 42 18 24 .429 None None [85]
Jerry Sloan*  • Chicago Bulls (1979–1982)
 • Utah Jazz (1988–2011)		 26 2,024 1,221 803 .603 202 98 104 .485 None None [86]
Quin Snyder^  • Utah Jazz (2014–2022)
 • Atlanta Hawks (2023–present)		 12 903 504 399 .558 57 23 34 .404 None None [87]
Erik Spoelstra^  • Miami Heat (2008–present) 18 1,441 830 611 .576 193 110 83 .570 2 (2012, 2013) None [88]
Brad Stevens  • Boston Celtics (2013–2021) 8 636 354 282 .557 78 38 40 .487 None None [89]
Terry Stotts  • Atlanta Hawks (2002–2004)
 • Milwaukee Bucks (2005–2007)
 • Portland Trail Blazers (2012–2021)		 13 1,003 517 486 .515 67 23 44 .343 None None [90]
Tom Thibodeau  • Chicago Bulls (2010–2015)
 • Minnesota Timberwolves (2016–2019)
 • New York Knicks (2020–2025)		 13 998 578 420 .579 103 48 55 .466 None 2 (2011, 2021) [91]
Rudy Tomjanovich*  • Houston Rockets (1992–2003)
 • Los Angeles Lakers (2004–2005)		 13 943 527 416 .559 90 51 39 .567 2 (1994, 1995) None [92]
Wes Unseld  • Washington Bullets (1988–1994) 7 547 202 345 .369 5 2 3 .400 None None [93]
Butch van Breda Kolff  • Los Angeles Lakers (1967–1969)
 • Detroit Pistons (1969–1971)
 • Phoenix Suns (1972)
 • New Orleans Jazz (1974–1976)		 9 519 266 253 .513 33 21 12 .636 None None [94]
Jeff Van Gundy  • New York Knicks (1996–2001)
 • Houston Rockets (2003–2007)		 11 748 430 318 .575 88 44 44 .500 None None [95]
Stan Van Gundy  • Miami Heat (2003–2005)
 • Orlando Magic (2007–2012)
 • Detroit Pistons (2014–2018)
 • New Orleans Pelicans (2020–2021)		 13 979 554 425 .566 91 48 43 .527 None None [96]
Frank Vogel  • Indiana Pacers (2011–2016)
 • Orlando Magic (2016–2018)
 • Los Angeles Lakers (2019–2022)
 • Phoenix Suns (2023–2024)		 12 902 480 422 .532 92 49 43 .533 1 (2020) None [97]
Bob Weiss  • San Antonio Spurs (1986–1988)
 • Atlanta Hawks (1990–1993)
 • Los Angeles Clippers (1993–1994)
 • Seattle SuperSonics (2005–2006)		 7 522 223 299 .427 11 2 9 .182 None None [98]
Paul Westphal  • Phoenix Suns (1992–1996)
 • Seattle SuperSonics (1998–2000)
 • Sacramento Kings (2009–2011)		 10 597 318 279 .533 49 27 22 .551 None None [99]
Lenny Wilkens*  • Seattle SuperSonics (1969–1972, 1977–1985)
 • Portland Trail Blazers (1974–1976)
 • Cleveland Cavaliers (1986–1993)
 • Atlanta Hawks (1993–2000)
 • Toronto Raptors (2000–2003)
 • New York Knicks (2004–2005)		 32 2,487 1,332 1,155 .536 178 80 98 .449 1 (1979) 1 (1994) [100]
Monty Williams  • New Orleans Hornets / Pelicans (2010–2015)
 • Phoenix Suns (2019–2023)
 • Detroit Pistons (2023–2024)		 10 785 381 404 .485 56 29 27 .518 None 1 (2022) [101]
Randy Wittman  • Cleveland Cavaliers (1999–2001)
 • Minnesota Timberwolves (2007–2008)
 • Washington Wizards (2012–2016)		 10 684 278 406 .406 21 12 9 .571 None None [102]
Mike Woodson  • Atlanta Hawks (2004–2010)
 • New York Knicks (2012–2014)		 9 680 315 365 .463 46 18 28 .391 None None [103]
Close

Playoff series

Below is a list of the most playoff series by a coach (minimum 20 or more playoff series). Phil Jackson, who appeared in 20 playoffs, coached the most series with 65 and won the most with 56; he also owns the highest win percentage at 86.2%. Gregg Popovich and George Karl made the most playoff appearances at 22. Karl has the most losses, having lost a series in each of his 22 appearances without winning a championship. Jerry Sloan coached and won the most playoff series without winning a championship, with 20 wins in 40 series. Jack Ramsay owns the lowest win percentage at 31.8%. Note that the playoff format has expanded over time. Results from the NBA play-in tournament are not counted.

Note: Statistics accurate thru the 2025 NBA playoffs.

Phil Jackson has won more playoff series and coached more playoff series than any other coach. He also owns the highest series win percentage.
Yrs Number of years coached
SC Series Coached
SW Series Wins
SL Series Losses
Win% Winning percentage
App. Playoff Appearances
^ Denotes coach who is currently coaching an NBA team
* Elected to the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame as a coach
*^ Active NBA coach who has been elected to the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame
More information Coach, Team(s) coached ...
Coach Team(s) coached SC SW SL Win% App. Championships
Phil Jackson*  • Chicago Bulls (1989–1998)
 • Los Angeles Lakers (1999–2004, 2005–2011)		 65 56 9 0.862 20 11
Pat Riley*  • Los Angeles Lakers (1981–1990)
 • New York Knicks (1991–1995)
 • Miami Heat (1995–2003, 2005–2008)		 56 40 16 0.714 21 5
Gregg Popovich*  • San Antonio Spurs (1996–2025) 54 37 17 0.685 22 5
Jerry Sloan*  • Chicago Bulls (1979–1982)
 • Utah Jazz (1988–2011)		 40 20 20 0.500 20 0
Doc Rivers*^  • Orlando Magic (1999–2003)
 • Boston Celtics (2004–2013)
 • Los Angeles Clippers (2013–2020)
 • Philadelphia 76ers (2020–2023)
 • Milwaukee Bucks (2024–present)		 37 17 20 0.459 21 1
Larry Brown*  • Denver Nuggets (1976–1979)
 • New Jersey Nets (1981–1983)
 • San Antonio Spurs (1988–1992)
 • Los Angeles Clippers (1992–1993)
 • Indiana Pacers (1993–1997)
 • Philadelphia 76ers (1997–2003)
 • Detroit Pistons (2003–2005)
 • New York Knicks (2005–2006)
 • Charlotte Bobcats (2008–2010)		 36 19 17 0.528 18 1
Lenny Wilkens*  • Seattle SuperSonics (1969–1972, 1977–1985)
 • Portland Trail Blazers (1974–1976)
 • Cleveland Cavaliers (1986–1993)
 • Atlanta Hawks (1993–2000)
 • Toronto Raptors (2000–2003)
 • New York Knicks (2004–2005)		 36 17 19 0.472 20 1
Erik Spoelstra^  • Miami Heat (2008–present) 35 23 12 0.657 14 2
George Karl*  • Cleveland Cavaliers (1984–1986)
 • Golden State Warriors (1986–1988)
 • Seattle SuperSonics (1992–1998)
 • Milwaukee Bucks (1998–2003)
 • Denver Nuggets (2005–2013)
 • Sacramento Kings (2015–2016)		 35 13 22 0.371 22 0
Red Auerbach*  • Washington Capitols (1946–1949)
 • Tri-Cities Blackhawks (1949–1950)
 • Boston Celtics (1950–1966)		 34 24 10 0.706 19 9
Don Nelson*  • Milwaukee Bucks (1976–1987)
 • Golden State Warriors (1988–1995, 2006–2010)
 • New York Knicks (1995–1996)
 • Dallas Mavericks (1997–2005)		 33 15 18 0.455 18 0
Rick Carlisle^  • Detroit Pistons (2001–2003)
 • Indiana Pacers (2003–2007, 2021–present)
 • Dallas Mavericks (2008–2021)		 31 16 15 0.516 16 1
Rick Adelman*  • Portland Trail Blazers (1989–1994)
 • Golden State Warriors (1996–1997)
 • Sacramento Kings (1998–2006)
 • Houston Rockets (2007–2011)
 • Minnesota Timberwolves (2011–2014)		 30 14 16 0.467 16 0
Steve Kerr^  • Golden State Warriors (2014–present) 28 24 4 0.857 8 4
K. C. Jones  • Capital / Washington Bullets (1973–1976)
 • Boston Celtics (1983–1988)
 • Seattle SuperSonics (1990–1992)		 26 18 8 0.692 10 2
Chuck Daly*  • Cleveland Cavaliers (1981–1982)
 • Detroit Pistons (1983–1992)
 • New Jersey Nets (1992–1994)
 • Orlando Magic (1997–1999)		 26 16 10 0.615 12 2
John Kundla*  • Minneapolis Lakers (1948–1958, 1958–1959) 25 20 5 0.833 10 5
Dick Motta  • Chicago Bulls (1968–1976)
 • Washington Bullets (1976–1980)
 • Dallas Mavericks (1980–1987, 1994–1996)
 • Sacramento Kings (1990–1991)
 • Denver Nuggets (1996–1997)		 24 11 13 0.458 14 1
Bill Fitch*  • Cleveland Cavaliers (1970–1979)
 • Boston Celtics (1979–1983)
 • Houston Rockets (1983–1988)
 • New Jersey Nets (1989–1992)
 • Los Angeles Clippers (1994–1998)		 23 11 12 0.478 13 1
Billy Cunningham  • Philadelphia 76ers (1977–1985) 22 15 7 0.682 8 1
Jack Ramsay*  • Philadelphia 76ers (1969–1972)
 • Buffalo Braves (1973–1976)
 • Portland Trail Blazers (1977–1986)
 • Indiana Pacers (1986–1988)		 22 7 15 0.318 16 1
John MacLeod  • Phoenix Suns (1973–1987)
 • Dallas Mavericks (1987–1989)
 • New York Knicks (1990–1991)		 21 10 11 0.476 11 0
Red Holzman*  • Milwaukee / St. Louis Hawks (1954–1957)
 • New York Knicks (1967–1977, 1978–1982)		 20 12 8 0.600 10 2
Mike D'Antoni  • Denver Nuggets (1998–1999)
 • Phoenix Suns (2003–2008)
 • New York Knicks (2008–2012)
 • Los Angeles Lakers (2012–2014)
 • Houston Rockets (2016–2020)		 20 10 10 0.500 10 0
Close

Notes

References

See also

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