From Surf Wiki (app.surf) — the open knowledge base
NBA Coach of the Year
National Basketball Association award
National Basketball Association award
| Field | Value |
|---|---|
| name | NBA Coach of the Year |
| sport | Basketball |
| league | National Basketball Association |
| givenfor | Coach deemed most integral to their team's success in regular season of the National Basketball Association |
| first | |
| mostwins | Don Nelson |
| Pat Riley | |
| Gregg Popovich (tied, 3) | |
| mostrecent | Kenny Atkinson |
| Cleveland Cavaliers |
Pat Riley Gregg Popovich (tied, 3) Cleveland Cavaliers The National Basketball Association's Coach of the Year is an annual National Basketball Association (NBA) award given since the 1962–63 NBA season. The winner receives the Red Auerbach Trophy, which is named in honor of the head coach who led the Boston Celtics to nine NBA championships from 1956 to 1966. The winner is selected at the end of the regular season by a panel of sportswriters from the United States and Canada, each of whom casts a vote for first, second and third place selections. Each first-place vote is worth five points; each second-place vote is worth three points; and each third-place vote is worth one point. The person with the highest point total, regardless of the number of first-place votes, wins the award.
Since its inception, the award has been given to 41 different coaches. The most recent award winner is current Cleveland Cavaliers head coach Kenny Atkinson. Gregg Popovich, Don Nelson and Pat Riley have each won the award three times, while Hubie Brown, Mike Brown, Mike Budenholzer, Mike D'Antoni, Bill Fitch, Cotton Fitzsimmons, Gene Shue, and Tom Thibodeau have each won it twice. No coach has won consecutive Coach of the Year awards. Riley is the only coach to be named Coach of the Year with three franchises. Tom Heinsohn, Bill Sharman, and Lenny Wilkens are the only recipients to have been inducted to the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame as both player and coach. Johnny Kerr is the only person to win the award with a losing record (33–48 with the Chicago Bulls in ). Kerr was honored because he had guided the Bulls to the NBA Playoffs in their first season in the league. Doc Rivers is the only person to win the award despite his team not making the playoffs (41–41 with the Orlando Magic in ). Only five recipients also coached the team that won the championship the same season: Red Auerbach, Red Holzman, Bill Sharman, Phil Jackson, and Gregg Popovich. Popovich is the only NBA Coach of the Year recipient to win the championship in the same season twice, winning the NBA title with the San Antonio Spurs in 2003 and 2014. 2020 winner and former Toronto Raptors head coach Nick Nurse is the only coach to receive this honor in both the NBA and the NBA G League, having received the G League award in 2011.
2015–16 recipient Steve Kerr only coached 39 of the 82 games in the season due to complications from offseason back surgery, though he received credit for all of the Golden State Warriors' 73 wins that season. Assistant coach Luke Walton served as interim head coach for the other 43 games for the Warriors, receiving one second-place vote and two third-place votes. Steve Kerr and Luke Walton both won NBA Coach of the Month during the 2015–16 season, Kerr in March and Walton in November. Kerr asked the league to award Walton with the wins accumulated during Kerr's medical recovery time, but the NBA refused to do so because under league rules interim head coaches do not have win-loss records at all. Mike Brown became the first unanimous Coach of the Year recipient in NBA history in the 2022–23 season.
Winners
| Win% ± | Winning percentage change from previous season |
|---|
| Season | Coach | Nationality | Team | W–L | Win% | Win% ± | * | * | * | * | * | * | * | * (2) | (2) | * | * (2) | * (2) | * | * (3) | * (2) | * | * | * (3) | ^ | * | ^ | * | (2) | ^ | ^ | * (2) | * | * (3) | ^ | (2) | (2) | ^ | ^ (2) | ^† (2) | ^ | ^ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| United States | St. Louis Hawks | 48–32 | .600 | +.237 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| United States | San Francisco Warriors | 48–32 | .600 | +.212 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| United States | Boston Celtics | 62–18 | .775 | +.037 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| United States | Philadelphia 76ers | 55–25 | .688 | +.188 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| United States | Chicago Bulls | 33–48 | .407 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| United States | St. Louis Hawks (2) | 56–26 | .683 | +.202 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| United States | Baltimore Bullets | 57–25 | .695 | +.256 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| United States | New York Knicks | 60–22 | .732 | +.073 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| United States | Chicago Bulls (2) | 51–31 | .622 | +.146 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| United States | Los Angeles Lakers | 69–13 | .841 | +.256 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| United States | Boston Celtics (2) | 68–14 | .829 | +.146 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| United States | Detroit Pistons | 52–30 | .634 | +.146 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| United States | Kansas City–Omaha Kings | 44–38 | .537 | +.135 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| United States | Cleveland Cavaliers | 49–33 | .598 | +.110 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| United States | Houston Rockets | 49–33 | .598 | +.110 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| United States | Atlanta Hawks (3) | 41–41 | .500 | +.122 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| United States | Kansas City Kings (2) | 48–34 | .585 | +.207 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| United States | Boston Celtics (3) | 61–21 | .744 | +.390 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| United States | Indiana Pacers | 44–38 | .537 | +.086 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| United States | Washington Bullets (2) | 43–39 | .524 | +.048 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| United States | Milwaukee Bucks | 51–31 | .622 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| United States | Utah Jazz | 45–37 | .549 | +.183 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| United States | Milwaukee Bucks (2) | 59–23 | .720 | +.110 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| United States | Atlanta Hawks (4) | 50–32 | .610 | +.195 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| United States | Portland Trail Blazers | 49–33 | .598 | +.110 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| United States | Denver Nuggets | 54–28 | .659 | +.208 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| United States | Phoenix Suns | 55–27 | .671 | +.330 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| United States | Los Angeles Lakers (2) | 63–19 | .768 | +.073 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| United States | Houston Rockets (2) | 52–30 | .634 | +.134 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| United States | Golden State Warriors (2) | 55–27 | .671 | +.134 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| United States | New York Knicks (2) | 60–22 | .732 | +.110 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| United States | Atlanta Hawks (5) | 57–25 | .695 | +.171 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| United States | Los Angeles Lakers (3) | 48–34 | .585 | +.183 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| United States | Chicago Bulls (3) | 72–10 | .878 | +.305 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| United States | Miami Heat | 61–21 | .744 | +.232 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| United States | Indiana Pacers (2) | 58–24 | .707 | +.231 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| United States | Portland Trail Blazers (2) | 35–15 | .700 | +.139 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| United States | Orlando Magic | 41–41 | .500 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| United States | Philadelphia 76ers (2) | 56–26 | .683 | +.085 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| United States | Detroit Pistons (2) | 50–32 | .610 | +.220 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| United States | San Antonio Spurs | 60–22 | .732 | +.025 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| United States | Memphis Grizzlies | 50–32 | .610 | +.269 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| United States | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Italy | Phoenix Suns (2) | 62–20 | .756 | +.402 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| United States | Dallas Mavericks | 60–22 | .732 | +.025 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| United States | Toronto Raptors | 47–35 | .573 | +.244 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| United States | New Orleans Hornets | 56–26 | .683 | +.207 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| United States | Cleveland Cavaliers (2) | 66–16 | .805 | +.256 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| United States | Oklahoma City Thunder | 50–32 | .610 | +.330 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| United States | Chicago Bulls (4) | 62–20 | .756 | +.256 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| United States | San Antonio Spurs (2) | 50–16 | .758 | +.014 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| United States | Denver Nuggets (2) | 57–25 | .695 | +.119 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| United States | San Antonio Spurs (3) | 62–20 | .756 | +.049 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| United States | Atlanta Hawks (6) | 60–22 | .732 | +.269 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| United States | Golden State Warriors (3) | 73–9 | .890 | +.073 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| United States | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Italy | Houston Rockets (3) | 55–27 | .671 | +.171 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| United States | Toronto Raptors (2) | 59–23 | .720 | +.098 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| United States | Milwaukee Bucks (3) | 60–22 | .732 | +.195 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| United States | Toronto Raptors (3) | 46–18 | .719 | +.012 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| United States | New York Knicks (3) | 41–31 | .569 | +.251 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| United States | Phoenix Suns (3) | 64–18 | .780 | +.072 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| United States | Sacramento Kings (3) | 48–34 | .585 | +.219 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| United States | Oklahoma City Thunder (2) | 57–25 | .695 | +.207 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| United States | Cleveland Cavaliers (3) | 64–18 | .780 | +.195 |
Multi-time winners
| Awards | Coach | Team(s) | Years |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3 | USA Don Nelson | Milwaukee Bucks (2), Golden State Warriors (1) | 1983, 1985, 1992 |
| USA Pat Riley | Los Angeles Lakers (1), New York Knicks (1), Miami Heat (1) | 1990, 1993, 1997 | |
| USA Gregg Popovich | San Antonio Spurs | 2003, 2012, 2014 | |
| 2 | USA Gene Shue | Baltimore Bullets (1), Washington Bullets (1) | 1969, 1982 |
| USA Bill Fitch | Cleveland Cavaliers (1), Boston Celtics (1) | 1976, 1980 | |
| USA Hubie Brown | Atlanta Hawks (1), Memphis Grizzlies (1) | 1978, 2004 | |
| USA Cotton Fitzsimmons | Kansas City Kings (1), Phoenix Suns (1) | 1979, 1989 | |
| USA Mike D'Antoni | Phoenix Suns (1), Houston Rockets (1) | 2005, 2017 | |
| USA Mike Budenholzer | Atlanta Hawks (1), Milwaukee Bucks (1) | 2015, 2019 | |
| USA Tom Thibodeau | Chicago Bulls (1), New York Knicks (1) | 2011, 2021 | |
| USA Mike Brown | Cleveland Cavaliers (1), Sacramento Kings (1) | 2009, 2023 |
Teams
| Awards | Teams | Years |
|---|---|---|
| 6 | Atlanta Hawks / St. Louis Hawks | , , , , , |
| 4 | Chicago Bulls | , , , |
| 3 | Boston Celtics | , , |
| Los Angeles Lakers | , , | |
| San Antonio Spurs | , , | |
| Golden State Warriors | , , | |
| Houston Rockets | , , | |
| Milwaukee Bucks | , , | |
| Toronto Raptors | , , | |
| New York Knicks | , , | |
| Phoenix Suns | , , | |
| Sacramento Kings / Kansas City–Omaha Kings | , , | |
| Cleveland Cavaliers | , , | |
| 2 | Denver Nuggets | , |
| Detroit Pistons | , | |
| Indiana Pacers | , | |
| Oklahoma City Thunder | , | |
| Philadelphia 76ers | , | |
| Portland Trail Blazers | , | |
| Washington Wizards / Baltimore Bullets / Washington Bullets | , | |
| 1 | Memphis Grizzlies | |
| Miami Heat | ||
| New Orleans Pelicans / New Orleans Hornets | ||
| Orlando Magic | ||
| Utah Jazz | ||
| Dallas Mavericks | ||
| 0 | Minnesota Timberwolves | None |
| Brooklyn Nets | ||
| Los Angeles Clippers |
Notes
References
;General
;Specific
References
- (April 28, 2006). "Dallas' Avery Johnson Named 2005–06 NBA Coach of the Year". Turner Sports Interactive, Inc.
- (April 7, 2008). "Heat coach Pat Riley among 2008 Basketball Hall of Fame class". ESPN.
- "Johnny "Red" Kerr Bio". Turner Sports Interactive, Inc.
- (August 22, 2020). "Toronto's Nick Nurse wins 2019-20 NBA Coach of the Year award". NBA.
- Pandian, Ananth. (April 26, 2016). "Warriors' Steve Kerr wins the 2016 NBA Coach of the Year award". CBS Sports.
- (19 April 2023). "Sacramento's Mike Brown unanimous Coach of the Year winner". San Francisco Chronicle.
- "Top 10 Coaches in NBA History". Turner Sports Interactive, Inc.
- "Mike D'Antoni". Turner Sports Interactive, Inc.
This article was imported from Wikipedia and is available under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 License. Content has been adapted to SurfDoc format. Original contributors can be found on the article history page.
Ask Mako anything about NBA Coach of the Year — get instant answers, deeper analysis, and related topics.
Research with MakoFree with your Surf account
Create a free account to save articles, ask Mako questions, and organize your research.
Sign up freeThis content may have been generated or modified by AI. CloudSurf Software LLC is not responsible for the accuracy, completeness, or reliability of AI-generated content. Always verify important information from primary sources.
Report