Top 10 Coaches in NBA History
These ten NBA coaches didn’t just win games — they shaped eras, defined dynasties, and forever changed the way basketball is played and led.
- Alyana Aguja
- 4 min read
The NBA has seen hundreds of coaches come and go, but only a select few transformed the sport with enduring impact. From Phil Jackson’s spiritual approach to Popovich’s silent efficiency, and from Auerbach’s cigar-fueled dynasties to Don Nelson’s strategic chaos, each of these figures brought something new to the hardwood. This list celebrates not just their trophies, but their philosophies, adaptability, and the lasting human moments they forged with their teams.
10. Larry Brown
Leon Halip-Imagn Images
Larry Brown was a nomad with a magic touch — he coached nine NBA teams, yet wherever he went, he built winners. His crowning moment came in 2004, when he led the blue-collar Detroit Pistons to an NBA title by defeating the star-studded Lakers. Brown is still the only coach to win both an NCAA and NBA championship, a testament to his adaptability and basketball IQ.
9. Rudy Tomjanovich
David Butler II-Imagn Images
Often overlooked, Rudy T led the Houston Rockets to back-to-back titles in 1994 and 1995 with a calm, confident style. He understood stars like Hakeem Olajuwon but also galvanized a tough supporting cast — think Mario Elie and Robert Horry — into a fearless unit. His famous quote, “Don’t ever underestimate the heart of a champion,” wasn’t just a soundbite; it defined his team and coaching ethos.
8. Don Nelson
Kyle Terada-Imagn Images
Don Nelson never won a title, but his influence on the modern game is hard to overstate. He was a basketball mad scientist, turning mismatches into weapons and pioneering small-ball before it was cool. He holds the most regular-season wins in NBA history (1,335), and his offbeat brilliance helped reshape the way we think about tempo, space, and positionless basketball.
7. Chuck Daly
RVR Photos-Imagn Images
Chuck Daly led the infamous “Bad Boys” Pistons to back-to-back championships in the late ’80s, managing egos, elbows, and intensity with stoic precision. He coached with a mix of toughness and trust, turning wild personalities like Dennis Rodman and Isiah Thomas into disciplined winners. Daly also coached the original 1992 Dream Team — a collection of superstars who actually listened to him, which says everything.
6. Red Holzman
Manny Rubio-Imagn Images
Red Holzman guided the New York Knicks to their only two NBA championships (1970 and 1973), built on team play and gritty defense. His teams passed up good shots for great ones and made unselfishness the system itself. Holzman’s name might not ring out today, but his legacy is etched into Madison Square Garden and echoed in every Knicks fan’s long memory.
5. Steve Kerr
Darren Yamashita-Imagn Images
Inheriting a talented Warriors team, Steve Kerr didn’t just maintain it — he revolutionized it. With a deep understanding of spacing, pace, and ego management, Kerr empowered Steph Curry and transformed Golden State into a dynasty, winning four titles in eight seasons. His ability to blend analytics, humility, and joy transformed modern NBA offense and locker room culture alike.
4. Pat Riley
Jim Rassol-Imagn Images
The slick-haired showman of the ’80s Lakers became a ruthless tactician with the ’90s Knicks and 2000s Heat. Pat Riley’s coaching résumé includes five NBA titles and a career arc that spans from Showtime glitz to grindhouse grit. Beyond the suits and style, Riley was a master motivator who redefined what leadership looked like on the sideline.
3. Gregg Popovich
Rob Gray-Imagn Images
Pop turned the San Antonio Spurs into a model franchise — quiet, consistent, and brutal in execution. With five championships and a system built on trust, ball movement, and player development, he proved that you could win big without a single flashy thing. Popovich’s dry wit, political candor, and loyalty to his players made him not just a coaching legend but a mentor to a generation.
2. Red Auerbach
Dick Raphael-Imagn Images
Red Auerbach didn’t just win — he built dynasties before that word became cliché. Leading the Celtics to nine championships in ten years, he smoked victory cigars before the game even ended because he knew. Red was also a pioneer off the court, hiring the NBA’s first Black head coach (Bill Russell), proving leadership wasn’t just about Xs and Os but vision, too.
1. Phil Jackson
RVR Photos-Imagn Images
Eleven rings. Two three-peats with the Bulls, then five more titles with the Lakers. Phil Jackson’s “Zen Master” approach blended mindfulness with triangle offense mastery, helping Michael Jordan, Kobe Bryant, and Shaquille O’Neal become their best selves, not just as players, but as teammates. He didn’t just coach; he channeled.