NBA Coach of the Year (COY) rankings 2024-25: Top 5 candidates in Week 11 ft. Mark Daigneault

It’s officially the new year! After an action-packed 2024, our NBA Coach of the Year rankings transition into 2025, but familiar faces continue to dominate the list.

Week 11 brought thrilling matchups between powerhouse teams, significantly impacting both the championship race and the rankings.

Who gets the No. 1 spot this week? Let’s dive into the top candidates for Coach of the Year as Week 11 comes to a close.

Top 5 NBA Coach of the Year candidates after Week 11

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#5. Tom Thibodeau (Last week’s ranking: #3)

In his third appearance this season, Tom Thibodeau slips to No. 5. While many top teams suffered multiple losses, the New York Knicks have remained one of the more consistent squads. They closed out 2024 and opened 2025 with wins but stumbled in road games against the OKC Thunder and the Chicago Bulls.

The Knicks still have the NBA's fifth-best net rating and third-best offensive rating. Thibodeau has maximized the potential of his starting lineup, but improvements in bench production will be key moving forward.

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#4. Joe Mazzulla (Last week’s ranking: Unranked)

Joe Mazzulla returns to the rankings after a two-week absence, as his Boston Celtics went 3-1 in Week 11. The Celtics notched impressive wins against the Toronto Raptors, Minnesota Timberwolves and Houston Rockets, but their loss to the OKC Thunder to close the week was a notable blemish.

Under Mazzulla, the defending champions still boast the third-best net rating in the NBA.

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#3. Ime Udoka (Last week’s ranking: Unranked)

Ime Udoka’s Houston Rockets had a gritty Week 11, finishing 2-1 with wins over the Dallas Mavericks and the LA Lakers. Defense has surprisingly become the hallmark of Udoka’s young squad, which holds the league’s third-best defensive rating.

While the offense remains a work in progress, Udoka’s team is climbing the standings, now sitting at No. 2 in the highly competitive Western Conference.

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#2. Kenny Atkinson (Last week’s ranking: #1)

Kenny Atkinson drops to No. 2 this week, despite leading the Cleveland Cavaliers to 10 straight wins. In a race driven partially by narrative and popularity, Atkinson’s recent streak doesn’t carry the same weight as the No. 1 team’s achievements.

The Cavaliers secured victories over the Golden State Warriors, LA Lakers and Dallas Mavericks on the road, and defeated the Charlotte Hornets at home to remain unbeaten this week.

Atkinson, who has held the No. 1 spot seven times this season, slides to second place for now.

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#1. Mark Daigneault (Last week’s ranking: #2)

Reigning NBA Coach of the Year Mark Daigneault rises to the top after guiding the OKC Thunder to gritty victories against elite opponents.

The Thunder extended their franchise-best winning streak to 15 games with commanding wins over the Minnesota Timberwolves and LA Clippers, followed by triumphs over two of the East’s best teams — the New York Knicks and the Boston Celtics.

Narratively, Daigneault’s accomplishments this week have outshone Atkinson’s, setting the stage for a potential showdown as their teams clash on Wednesday in Week 12. Buckle up!