List of National Basketball Association head coaches with 400 games coached

Last Modified Oct 4, 2023 07:40 GMT
List of National Basketball Association head coaches with 400 games coached
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The National Basketball Association was founded as the Basketball Association of America in 1946. After it merged with its competitor the National Basketball League, the name was changed to the NBA in 1949. 29 teams from the United States and one from Canada fight it out for the Larry O’Brien Trophy each year.

The head coach is the highest ranked coach and the leader of the coaching staff. The best head coach each season receives the Coach of the Year award, the Red Auerbach Trophy, named after the former Boston Celtics head coach who won nine titles with the franchise between 1959 to 1966.

Head coaches play a vital role in individual player development and strategizing based on how their opposition plays. The most successful coach in the NBA is Phil Jackson with 11 championships. Meanwhile, Gregg Popovich is the longest serving coach in the NBA. He has been the head coach of the San Antonio Spurs since 1996.

Below is the list of head coaches who have coached for more than 400 games.

CoachTeam(s)GamesWonGamesWonTitles won
Regular seasonPlayoffs
Rick Adelman• Portland Trail Blazers (1989–1994),1791104215779None
• Golden State Warriors (1996–1997)
• Sacramento Kings (1998–2006)
• Houston Rockets (2007–2011)
• Minnesota Timberwolves (2011–2014)
Stan Albeck• Cleveland Cavaliers (1979–1980)5743074418None
• San Antonio Spurs (1980–1983)
• New Jersey Nets (1983–1985)
• Chicago Bulls (1985–1986)
Al Attles• San Francisco / Golden State Warriors (1970–1982)107555761311 (1975)
Red Auerbach• Washington Capitols (1946–1949)1417938168999 (1957, 1959, 1960, 1961, 1962, 1963, 1964, 1965, 1966)
• Tri-Cities Blackhawks (1949–1950)
• Boston Celtics (1950–1966)
Bernie Bickerstaff• Seattle SuperSonics (1985–1989, 1989–1990)9374193312None
• Denver Nuggets (1995–1996)
• Washington Bullets / Wizards (1997–1999)
• Charlotte Bobcats (2004–2007)
• Los Angeles Lakers (2012)
J. B. Bickerstaff• Houston Rockets (2015–2016)463207102None
• Memphis Grizzlies (2017–2019)
• Cleveland Cavaliers (2020–present)
Allan Bristow• Charlotte Hornets (1991–1996)410207135None
Scott Brooks• Oklahoma City Thunder (2008–2015)9355219749None
• Washington Wizards (2016–2021)
Brett Brown• Philadelphia 76ers (2013–2020)5652212612None
Hubie Brown• Atlanta Hawks (1976–1981)9194243814None
• New York Knicks (1982–1987)
• Memphis Grizzlies (2002–2004)
Larry Brown• Denver Nuggets (1976–1979)200210981931001 (2004)
• 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)
Mike Brown• Cleveland Cavaliers (2005–2010, 2013–2014)6453959050None
• Los Angeles Lakers (2011–2012)
• Sacramento Kings (2022–present)
Mike Budenholzer• Atlanta Hawks (2013–2018)801484104561 (2021)
• Milwaukee Bucks (2018–2023)
P. J. Carlesimo• Portland Trail Blazers (1994–1997)554239196None
• Golden State Warriors (1997–1999)
• Seattle SuperSonics / Oklahoma City Thunder (2007–2008)
• Brooklyn Nets (2012–2013)
Rick Carlisle• Detroit Pistons (2001–2003)1689896133631 (2011)
• Indiana Pacers (2003–2007, 2021–present)
• Dallas Mavericks (2008–2021)
Dwane Casey• Minnesota Timberwolves (2005–2007)10644945521None
• Toronto Raptors (2011–2018)
• Detroit Pistons (2018–2023)
Al Cervi• Syracuse Nationals (1949–1956)56732659331 (1955)
• Philadelphia Warriors (1958–1959)
Don Chaney• Los Angeles Clippers (1985–1987)831337112None
• Houston Rockets (1988–1992)
• Detroit Pistons (1993–1995)
• New York Knicks (2001–2004)
Maurice Cheeks• Portland Trail Blazers (2001–2004)620305165None
• Philadelphia 76ers (2005–2008)
• Detroit Pistons (2013–2014)
Steve Clifford• Charlotte Bobcats / Hornets (2013–2018, 2022–present)719319215None
• Orlando Magic (2018–2021)
Doug Collins• Chicago Bulls (1986–1989)8494425623None
• Detroit Pistons (1995–1998)
• Washington Wizards (2001–2003)
• Philadelphia 76ers (2010–2013)
Larry Costello• Milwaukee Bucks (1968–1976)73043060371 (1971)
• Chicago Bulls (1978–1979)
Billy Cunningham• Philadelphia 76ers (1977–1985)650454105661 (1983)
Mike D'Antoni• Denver Nuggets (1998–1999)119967211054None
• Phoenix Suns (2003–2008)
• New York Knicks (2008–2012)
• Los Angeles Lakers (2012–2014)
• Houston Rockets (2016–2020)
Chuck Daly• Cleveland Cavaliers (1981–1982)1075638126752 (1989, 1990)
• Detroit Pistons (1983–1992)
• New Jersey Nets (1992–1994)
• Orlando Magic (1997–1999)
Billy Donovan• Oklahoma City Thunder (2015–2020)6363604619None
• Chicago Bulls (2020–present)
Mike Dunleavy• Los Angeles Lakers (1990–1992)13296137138None
• Milwaukee Bucks (1992–1996)
• Portland Trail Blazers (1997–2001)
• Los Angeles Clippers (2003–2010)
Bill Fitch• Cleveland Cavaliers (1970–1979)2050944109551 (1981)
• Boston Celtics (1979–1983)
• Houston Rockets (1983–1988)
• New Jersey Nets (1989–1992)
• Los Angeles Clippers (1994–1998)
Cotton Fitzsimmons• Phoenix Suns (1970–1972, 1988–1992, 1996)16078328435None
• Atlanta Hawks (1972–1976)
• Buffalo Braves (1977–1978)
• Kansas City Kings (1978–1984)
• San Antonio Spurs (1984–1986)
Chris Ford• Boston Celtics (1990–1995)6993232913None
• Milwaukee Bucks (1996–1998)
• Los Angeles Clippers (1998–2000)
• Philadelphia 76ers (2004)
Lawrence Frank• New Jersey Nets (2004–2009)6142793818None
• Detroit Pistons (2011–2013)
Mike Fratello• Atlanta Hawks (1981, 1983–1990)12156676220None
• Cleveland Cavaliers (1993–1999)
• Memphis Grizzlies (2004–2006)
Alvin Gentry• Miami Heat (1995)11705343017None
• Detroit Pistons (1998–2000)
• Los Angeles Clippers (2000–2003)
• Phoenix Suns (2009–2013)
• New Orleans Pelicans (2015–2020)
• Sacramento Kings (2021–2022)
Edward Gottlieb• Philadelphia Warriors (1946–1955)58126332151 (1947)
Richie Guerin• St. Louis / Atlanta Hawks (1964–1972)6183276026None
Matt Guokas• Philadelphia 76ers (1985–1988)535230178None
• Orlando Magic (1989–1993)
Alex Hannum• St. Louis Hawks (1957–1958)88347179452 (1958, 1967)
• Syracuse Nationals / Philadelphia 76ers (1960–1963, 1966–1968)
• San Francisco Warriors (1963–1966)
• San Diego Rockets (1969–1971)
Del Harris• Houston Rockets (1979–1983)10135568838None
• Milwaukee Bucks (1987–1991)
• Los Angeles Lakers (1994–1999)
Les Harrison• Rochester Royals (1948–1955)47629538191 (1951)
Tom Heinsohn• Boston Celtics (1969–1978)69042780472 (1974, 1976)
Bob Hill• New York Knicks (1986–1987)6033103717None
• Indiana Pacers (1990–1993)
• San Antonio Spurs (1994–1996)
• Seattle SuperSonics (2006–2007)
Brian Hill• Orlando Magic (1993–1997, 2005–2007)6132984018None
• Vancouver Grizzlies (1997–1999)
Lionel Hollins• Vancouver / Memphis Grizzlies (1999–2000, 2004, 2009–2013)5342624120None
• Brooklyn Nets (2014–2016)
Red Holzman• Milwaukee / St. Louis Hawks (1954–1957)1300696105582 (1970, 1973)
• New York Knicks (1967–1977, 1978–1982)
Phil Jackson• Chicago Bulls (1989–1998)1640115533322911 (1991, 1992, 1993, 1996, 1997, 1998, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2009, 2010)
• Los Angeles Lakers (1999–2004, 2005–2011)
Dave Joerger• Memphis Grizzlies (2013–2016)492245229None
• Sacramento Kings (2016–2019)
Avery Johnson• Dallas Mavericks (2005–2008)4402544723None
• New Jersey / Brooklyn Nets (2010–2012)
Phil Johnson• Kansas City-Omaha / Kansas City / Sacramento Kings (1973–1978, 1984–1987)54323692None
• Chicago Bulls (1982)
K. C. Jones• Capital / Washington Bullets (1973–1976)774522138812 (1984, 1986)
• Boston Celtics (1983–1988)
• Seattle SuperSonics (1990–1992)
Eddie Jordan• Sacramento Kings (1997–1998)600257268None
• Washington Wizards (2003–2008)
• Philadelphia 76ers (2009–2010)
George Karl• Cleveland Cavaliers (1984–1986)1999117518580None
• Golden State Warriors (1986–1988)
• Seattle SuperSonics (1992–1998)
• Milwaukee Bucks (1998–2003)
• Denver Nuggets (2005–2013)
• Sacramento Kings (2015–2016)
Steve Kerr• Golden State Warriors (2014–present)711473140994 (2015, 2017, 2018, 2022)
Jason Kidd• Brooklyn Nets (2013–2014)5372734218None
• Milwaukee Bucks (2014–2018)
• Dallas Mavericks (2021–present)
John Kundla• Minneapolis Lakers (1948–1958, 1958–1959)72542395605 (1949, 1950, 1952, 1953, 1954)
Joe Lapchick• New York Knicks (1947–1956)5733266030None
Frank Layden• Utah Jazz (1981–1988)5712774118None
Bobby Leonard• Chicago Zephyrs / Baltimore Bullets (1962–1964)45018600None
• Indiana Pacers (1976–1980)
Kevin Loughery• Philadelphia 76ers (1973)1136474276None
• New York / New Jersey Nets (1976–1980)
• Atlanta Hawks (1981–1983)
• Chicago Bulls (1983–1985)
• Washington Bullets (1986–1988)
• Miami Heat (1991–1995)
John Lucas• San Antonio Spurs (1992–1994)431173146None
• Philadelphia 76ers (1994–1996)
• Cleveland Cavaliers (2001–2003)
Tyronn Lue• Cleveland Cavaliers (2016–2018)44726185521 (2016)
• Los Angeles Clippers (2020–present)
Jim Lynam• San Diego / Los Angeles Clippers (1983–1985)720328218None
• Philadelphia 76ers (1988–1992)
• Washington Bullets (1994–1997)
John MacLeod• Phoenix Suns (1973–1987)136470710147None
• Dallas Mavericks (1987–1989)
• New York Knicks (1990–1991)
Michael Malone• Sacramento Kings (2013–2014)74340668371 (2023)
• Denver Nuggets (2015–present)
Dick McGuire• Detroit Pistons (1959–1963)457197259None
• New York Knicks (1965–1967)
Kevin McHale• Minnesota Timberwolves (2005, 2008–2009)4172322913None
• Houston Rockets (2011–2015)
Jack McMahon• Chicago Zephyrs (1962)5492602910None
• Cincinnati Royals (1963–1967)
• San Diego Rockets (1967–1969)
Nate McMillan• Seattle SuperSonics (2000–2005)14287607628None
• Portland Trail Blazers (2005–2012)
• Indiana Pacers (2016–2020)
• Atlanta Hawks (2021–2023)
Sam Mitchell• Toronto Raptors (2004–2008)427185113None
• Minnesota Timberwolves (2015–2016)
Doug Moe• San Antonio Spurs (1976–1980)11576288333None
• Denver Nuggets (1980–1990)
• Philadelphia 76ers (1992–1993)
Dick Motta• Chicago Bulls (1968–1976)1952935126561 (1978)
• Washington Bullets (1976–1980)
• Dallas Mavericks (1980–1987, 1994–1996)
• Sacramento Kings (1990–1991)
• Denver Nuggets (1996–1997)
Don Nelson• Milwaukee Bucks (1976–1987)2398133516675None
• Golden State Warriors (1988–1995, 2006–2010)
• New York Knicks (1995–1996)
• Dallas Mavericks (1997–2005)
Tom Nissalke• Seattle SuperSonics (1972–1973)639248146None
• Houston Rockets (1976–1979)
• Utah Jazz (1979–1981)
• Cleveland Cavaliers (1982–1984)
Jim O'Brien• Boston Celtics (2001–2004)6303033114None
• Philadelphia 76ers (2004–2005)
• Indiana Pacers (2007–2011)
Rick Pitino• New York Knicks (1987–1989)412192136None
• Boston Celtics (1997–2001)
Gregg Popovich• San Antonio Spurs (1996–present)212713662841705 (1999, 2003, 2005, 2007, 2014)
Jack Ramsay• Philadelphia 76ers (1969–1972)1647864102441 (1977)
• Buffalo Braves (1973–1976)
• Portland Trail Blazers (1977–1986)
• Indiana Pacers (1986–1988)
Pat Riley• Los Angeles Lakers (1981–1990)190412102821715 (1982, 1985, 1987, 1988, 2006)
• New York Knicks (1991–1995)
• Miami Heat (1995–2003, 2005–2008)
Doc Rivers• Orlando Magic (1999–2003)186010972151111 (2008)
• Boston Celtics (2004–2013)
• Los Angeles Clippers (2013–2020)
• Philadelphia 76ers (2020–2023)
Bill Russell• Boston Celtics (1966–1969)63134161342 (1968, 1969)
• Seattle SuperSonics (1973–1977)
• Sacramento Kings (1987–1988)
Flip Saunders• Minnesota Timberwolves (1995–2005, 2014–2015)12466549847None
• Detroit Pistons (2005–2008)
• Washington Wizards (2009–2012)
Fred Schaus• Los Angeles Lakers (1960–1967)5603157133None
Byron Scott• New Jersey Nets (2000–2004)11014545733None
• New Orleans Hornets (2004–2009)
• Cleveland Cavaliers (2010–2013)
• Los Angeles Lakers (2014–2016)
Paul Seymour• Syracuse Nationals (1956–1960)5122713514None
• St. Louis Hawks (1960–1961)
• Baltimore Bullets (1965–1966)
• Detroit Pistons (1968–1969)
Bill Sharman• San Francisco Warriors (1966–1968)57333362351 (1972)
• Los Angeles Lakers (1971–1976)
Gene Shue• Baltimore / Washington Bullets (1966–1973, 1980–1986)16457847730None
• Philadelphia 76ers (1973–1977)
• San Diego / Los Angeles Clippers (1978–1979, 1987–1989)
Paul Silas• San Diego Clippers (1980–1983)8753872913None
• Charlotte Hornets / Bobcats (1999–2002, 2010–2012)
• New Orleans Hornets (2002–2003)
• Cleveland Cavaliers (2003–2005)
Scott Skiles• Phoenix Suns (1999–2002)9584784218None
• Chicago Bulls (2003–2007)
• Milwaukee Bucks (2008–2013)
• Orlando Magic (2015–2016)
Jerry Sloan• Chicago Bulls (1979–1982)2024122120298None
• Utah Jazz (1988–2011)
Quin Snyder• Utah Jazz (2014–2022)6643855723None
• Atlanta Hawks (2023–present)
Erik Spoelstra• Miami Heat (2008–present)11957041841092 (2012, 2013)
Garry St. Jean• Sacramento Kings (1992–1997)45017241None
• Golden State Warriors (1999–2000)
Brad Stevens• Boston Celtics (2013–2021)6363547838None
Terry Stotts• Atlanta Hawks (2002–2004)10035176723None
• Milwaukee Bucks (2005–2007)
• Portland Trail Blazers (2012–2021)
Tom Thibodeau• Chicago Bulls (2010–2015)8344777231None
• Minnesota Timberwolves (2016–2019)
• New York Knicks (2020–present)
Isiah Thomas• Indiana Pacers (2000–2003)410187155None
• New York Knicks (2006–2008)
Rudy Tomjanovich• Houston Rockets (1992–2003)94352790512 (1994, 1995)
• Los Angeles Lakers (2004–2005)
Wes Unseld• Washington Bullets (1988–1994)54720252None
Butch van Breda Kolff• Los Angeles Lakers (1967–1969)5192663321None
• Detroit Pistons (1969–1971)
• Phoenix Suns (1972)
• New Orleans Jazz (1974–1976)
Jeff Van Gundy• New York Knicks (1996–2001)7484308844None
• Houston Rockets (2003–2007)
Stan Van Gundy• Miami Heat (2003–2005)9795549148None
• Orlando Magic (2007–2012)
• Detroit Pistons (2014–2018)
• New Orleans Pelicans (2020–2021)
Frank Vogel• Indiana Pacers (2011–2016)82043188491 (2020)
• Orlando Magic (2016–2018)
• Los Angeles Lakers (2019–2022)
• Phoenix Suns (2023–present)
Luke Walton• Los Angeles Lakers (2016–2019)40716600None
• Sacramento Kings (2019–2021)
Bob Weiss• San Antonio Spurs (1986–1988)522223112None
• Atlanta Hawks (1990–1993)
• Los Angeles Clippers (1993–1994)
• Seattle SuperSonics (2005–2006)
Paul Westhead• Los Angeles Lakers (1979–1981)40718319131 (1980)
• Chicago Bulls (1982–1983)
• Denver Nuggets (1990–1992)
Paul Westphal• Phoenix Suns (1992–1996)5973184927None
• Seattle SuperSonics (1998–2000)
• Sacramento Kings (2009–2011)
Lenny Wilkens• Seattle SuperSonics (1969–1972, 1977–1985)24871332178801 (1979)
• Portland Trail Blazers (1974–1976)
• Cleveland Cavaliers (1986–1993)
• Atlanta Hawks (1993–2000)
• Toronto Raptors (2000–2003)
• New York Knicks (2004–2005)
Monty Williams• New Orleans Hornets / Pelicans (2010–2015)7033675629None
• Phoenix Suns (2019–2023)
• Detroit Pistons (2023–present)
Randy Wittman• Cleveland Cavaliers (1999–2001)6842782112None
• Minnesota Timberwolves (2007–2008)
• Washington Wizards (2012–2016)
Mike Woodson• Atlanta Hawks (2004–2010)6803154618None
• New York Knicks (2012–2014)

FAQs

A. Gregg Popovich has won 1,366 regular-season games as head coach, the most in NBA history.

A. Popovich has won five NBA championships as head coach of the San Antonio Spurs till date.

A. Larry Brown has coached nine NBA teams, the most by any other NBA head coach.

A. Lenny Wilkens has coached the most number of games, with 2,487 games in the regular season.

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