10 Greatest NBA coaches of all time

In the world of sports, generally, the players are the ones who are applauded for their performances. But a few minds are working off the field who often shape the teams.

Surbhi Khera
August 13, 2025
4 min read

10 Greatest NBA coaches of all time — © ROBERT HANASHIRO / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

There is a lot that goes off the field, such as scouting, drafting the team, and developing the players. All the credit goes to coaches of the teams whose minds work continuously for the betterment of the players and the team. With the exceptional IQ, skills, and leadership qualities, these coaches have left their names etched in the history of NBA. the

10. Don Nelson

Don Nelson didn’t win any NBA championships as a coach, but he has emerged as the NBA Coach of the Year three times. He is often referred to as ‘the mad scientist of the NBA’ due to his experimentation and unpredictable tactics. He is credited with inventing the ‘small ball’ and thus is often considered way ahead of his time.

9. Erik Spoelstra

Spoelstra, also known as the modern mastermind of Miami, has won two NBA titles as a coach. He has been the Head Coach of the Miami since 2008. His coaching style is calm, composed, and has depth. His focus is on player development and discipline.

8. Lenny Wilkens

Lenny Wilkens, known for his calm and poised behavior, coached multiple NBA teams in his coaching career. He led the SuperSonics to their first NBA victory. His coaching career has been an epitome of consistency because he has led various teams to the playoffs.

7. Larry Brown

Larry Brown’s career as a coach included diverse experiences as he coached nine NBA teams. He is the only coach in the history of the NBA to win NCAA and NBA titles. His coaching strategies revolved around teamwork and talent over superstar power.

6. Chuck Daly

Chuck Daly was associated with multiple NBA teams as a head coach and won 2 NBA titles with the Pistons. Under his leadership, the Pistons became the only team to defeat the dominating players like Bird, Magic, and Jordan. He was known for his motivational strategies, freestyle behavior, and adaptive nature. Moreover, he was the coach of the American Dream Team.

5. Steve Kerr

Warriors’ coach, Steve Kerr, is a nine-time NBA champion, five as a player and four as a coach. In just eight seasons, he took the team to six playoffs. He is considered the only coach to win the title four times in the 21st century. He is credited with bringing a modern revolution to the NBA.

4. Pat Riley

Five-time NBA championship winner, the head coach, Pat Riley, was associated with the Lakers, Knicks, and Heat. He is popularly known as the epitome of leadership because of his exceptional skills. He is one of the few athletes to win the championship not only as a player but also as a coach & an executive.

3. Gregg Popovich

Gregg Popovich, the head coach of the Spurs since 1996, has achieved great outcomes. He won the NBA championship 5 times with the Spurs and was named NBA Coach of the Year three times. He has created a legacy and is the only coach to win the championship title in three different decades. His scouting, IQ, and player development make him a standout coach.

2. Red Auerbach

Auerbach coached the Celtics and is known as the godfather of the Celtics Dynasty. He won 9 NBA titles with the team. His top-notch style helped him build an empire. He was the first coach to use different strategic tools, such as game film. As a coach, his focus was on the chemistry amongst the players, the fundamentals of the game, and team culture. His step forward for social change was reflected in his actions as he signed various Black players during that time.

1. Phil Jackson

Phil Jackson is credited with creating not teams but Dynasties. Often hailed as ‘The Zen Master’ due to his mindfulness, he coached the Bulls and Lakers during his career. As a coach, he won 11 championships, which is considered the highest by any coach in the history of the NBA. His strategies and mentality led to a smoother execution.