5 NBA coaches who have been accused of assault and domestic violence

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Dallas Mavericks vs. New York Knicks

In the NBA, there have been countless domestic violence and assault accusations against players and coaches. While most tend to lose their jobs or roster spots following a situation like this, some manage to hang around.

That said, here are a few coaches who have been accused in the past and still have a job in the league.


NBA coaches who have been accused of assault and domestic violence

1) Joe Mazzulla

The Boston Celtics currently hold the top spot in the Eastern Conference with a record of 21-6. They had a summer full of scandals following their trip to the NBA finals last year.

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After head coach Ime Udoka was suspended by the organization for a cheating scandal, Joe Mazzulla was named interim coach. However, it turns out he had some baggage of his own.

In 2009, Mazzulla was arrested on domestic battery charges after allegedly grabbing a woman by the neck at a bar. Following the arrest, Mazzulla sought treatment and has been sober for nearly 15 years.


2) Jason Kidd

Before becoming head coach, Jason Kidd had a successful 19-year NBA career as a point guard. While he was successful on the court, it did not overshadow some of his doings outside of basketball.

When the Dallas Mavericks hired Kidd back in 2021, the decision was met with scrutiny. This was mainly because the Hall of Famer has a history of domestic violence.

In 2001, Kidd was arrested on domestic violence charges against his then-wife. Years later, she filed a lawsuit claiming that physical and emotional abuse constantly happened during their marriage.


3) Chauncey Billups

Another former NBA point guard with a dark past is Chauncey Billups. Following his 17 years in the league, he is now the head coach of the Portland Trail Blazers.

During his rookie season, Billups was arrested after a woman claimed he and two other men sexually assaulted her. Despite the accusations, no criminal charges were ever filed on the matter.

When the Blazers announced the hiring of Billups, they were quickly under fire due to this situation. They claimed to have done extensive research on the matter and have since stuck with their decision to hire him.


4) Adrian Griffin

Adrian Griffin was once a six-foot-five guard who played in the NBA for nearly a decade. He currently serves as an assistant under Nick Nurse on the Toronto Raptors coaching staff.

Back in 2020, Griffin's ex-wife took to social media to say that he had been violent towards her on numerous occasions and in front of their children. Following this outburst, Griffin denied the claims, and the Raptors organization made the decision to stick by him.


5) Luke Walton

Luke Walton enjoyed a ten-year NBA career and quickly transitioned to coaching after his retirement. He served under Steve Kerr for two seasons in Golden State and then went on to coach the LA Lakers and Sacramento Kings over the next six years. Now, he is an assistant coach for the Cleveland Cavaliers.

During his time as coach of the Kings, a woman stepped forward and claimed that Walton sexually assaulted her back in 2014. However, four months after the initial lawsuit, she decided to drop everything against Walton.

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Edited by Kevin McCormick
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