Top 10 all-time best NBA coaches

In 2026, the NBA will celebrate its 80th anniversary. From Russell’s Celtics to Curry’s Warriors and Jordan’s Bulls, the Major League has seen some of the greatest dynasties in sport. At their helm were renowned coaches who revolutionised the rules of our sport.

Today, we rank them according to the following criteria, listed in order of importance: longevity, circumstances of their achievements, honours and legacy in the NBA only.

10) K.C. Jones : An eight-time NBA champion alongside Bill Russell as a player, K.C. Jones is nevertheless better known for his prowess on the bench. Taking a back seat to the stars of his era, the Texan shone above all for his defensive skills. This style of play was reflected in his tactical approach, which emphasised discipline and teamwork. With Larry Bird and Kevin McHale under his command, he won two titles in the 1980s. He was also one of the key figures in the rivalry with Pat Riley’s Lakers (another big name that we will surely find a little higher up…). K.C. Jones has the second-best winning percentage in Major League history in over 700 games. However, his inconsistent performances with the Bullets and Sonics, coupled with a lack of longevity, work against him.

9) Larry Brown : He could be nicknamed the TRANSFORMERS, as Larry Brown excelled at turning around second-rate teams. First with Buck Williams’ Nets, then David Robinson’s Spurs, followed by Reggie Miller’s Pacers, Allen Iverson’s 76ers… And finally, the holy grail on the Detroit Pistons’ bench in 2004, for one of the greatest upsets of all time against Kobe and Shaq’s Lakers (0-4 victory). His 26-year career is unique. No other coach has ever managed to improve so many franchises. Under his wing, rookies progressed while veterans found a second wind. Even when his character didn’t match that of certain players – such as The Answer – he always found a way to rally his team to victory. Admittedly, his lack of trophies compared to his competitors in this ranking is a blot on his copybook. But his ability to span generations without compromising on standards is such that he almost has to be included in this Top 10. It is worth noting that he is the only head coach to have won both an NBA title and an NCAA title.

8) Jerry Sloan : 22. Jerry Sloan remained loyal to his franchise for 22 years. From 1981 to 2011, from Magic to Rose, Mr Loyalty sat on the Utah Jazz bench. He transformed an unknown franchise into the number one contenders in the West. And he did so by relying on the most destructive weapon in basketball: the pick and roll. Despite limited resources in small markets, he always knew how to reinvent himself. Proof of this is that during this entire period, he only missed the playoffs three times. His record speaks for itself: 1,200 regular season wins, 15 consecutive playoff appearances from 1989 to 2003, six conference finals and two NBA finals… but no rings. His misfortune was that his golden age coincided with that of Michael Jordan. The Iron Man of Utah had only two real stars in John Stockton and Karl Malone. Yet he is considered the most consistent coach of his generation. His lack of titles is nevertheless fatal at this level.

7) Don Nelson : The ultimate uncrowned king. The fact that Don Nelson ranks eighth in our list without ever having won a ring reflects just how much he revolutionised the Major League. During his first two decades on the NBA bench – split between the Bucks and Warriors – the three-time COTY seemed like he was from another planet. At a time when big men dominated America, this chemist opted for smaller-than-average line-ups with significant spacing. Hack-a-Shaq, point forwards, ultra small ball, constant movement, versatility… All these precepts – which have become the norm today – originated from one person: Don Nelson. Unfortunately for him, he was around during the era of Julius Erving’s 76ers, Larry Bird’s Celtics and Shaq’s Lakers. The end of his career marked the beginning of the golden age for Dallas and Golden State. The man who took the time machine back to the second half of the 1970s left an indelible mark. However, his lack of trophies prevents him from ranking higher.

6) Chuck Daly : A rather discreet man, always well-groomed with his neatly pressed suit. Although it may seem strange, it was this always immaculately dressed coach who was at the helm of the Detroit Pistons from 1988 to 1990! A pack in every sense of the word, Chuck Daly managed to grasp their uniqueness and turn them into a particularly atypical dynasty. In his place, the vast majority of coaches would have either asked for trades or simply left. But the Daddy of the ‘Bad Boys’ preferred to win by force. Vice, muscle, trash talk, detestable gestures, roughness and everything that is the antithesis of champagne basketball. The embodiment of the saying ‘defence wins championships’, the Hall of Famer initially stumbled in 1988 against Magic’s Lakers. He then went on to defeat the young Michael Jordan’s Bulls twice, followed by the Blazers in the finals. His Pistons showed that there was more than one path to the championship, and that talent alone was not enough. The future Dream Team tactician stops at the gates of our Top 5. This is due to a lack of longevity in the big leagues.

5) Steve Kerr : Arriving on the Golden State bench as a rookie, Steve Kerr is now THE best coach of his generation, without ANY CONTROVERSY. It was a far cry from the destiny of the Beirut native. As the sixth man alongside Michael Jordan during the Bulls’ second three-peat, the combo guard learned from the best under Phil Jackson (remember that name). It was after a less than successful stint as GM in Phoenix that he took over from Mark Jackson with the Warriors in 2014. His franchise player: Stephen Curry – 7th pick in the 2009 NBA Draft. Then alongside him, Klay Thompson and Draymond Green – 11th and 35th picks respectively. Nothing very sexy on paper. And yet, Steve Kerr would revolutionise the world of basketball forever. Space shots, small ball, Splash Brothers… This has given us three titles in four years, accompanied by one of the most epic stories of 2022. The only coach in this ranking still active, Steve Kerr is halfway through his career. If longevity is added to his success, he is guaranteed to take first place in a few years !

4) Pat Riley : NBA champion as a player – five-time NBA champion as a coach – two-time NBA champion as a general manager. Pat Riley has simply dominated the game. But today, we are focusing solely on his career as a head coach, which is where he truly shone. First with the Lakers from 1981 to 1990. The main architect of the Los Angeles Showtime era, his ‘run-and-gun’ style, pioneered by the Magic-KAJ duo, resulted in four titles and a legendary rivalry with Larry Bird’s Celtics. In the wake of this golden period, The Godfather moved to the Knicks, leading them to the finals thanks to his ‘bully ball’ style. An already honourable career, concluded with a stint with the Miami Heat. Arriving in 1995, 30 years later he still occupies a prominent place in the Florida franchise. And rightly so. Because the famous ‘Heat Culture’ known to all today comes from his unique philosophy in the history of the Major League: work again, again and again! This essence would lead Shaq’s Miami to its first-ever banner in 2006. The apotheosis of a half-court game honed year after year. The man with the ever-perfect tan ticks all the boxes of the GOAT. Only, ahead of him is a podium saturated with indisputable greats.

3) Red Auerbach 🥉 : The father of all NBA bosses, the pioneer, the revolutionary… In short: the first great coach of the first great dynasty in NBA history. After two fairly unremarkable stints with the Washington Capitols and the Tri-Cities Blackhawks, Red Auerbach set his sights on the Boston Celtics in 1950. This was the starting point for 16 years filled with championship rings. Nine to be precise, including eight consecutive titles. While the legendary Bill Russell certainly played a major role in this achievement, the mastermind behind it all was ‘Red’. Nowadays, it seems almost elementary to have a defensive scheme, a playing identity, a collective system and a strong identity. But in the 1960s, no head coach managed his team in this way. No one except Red Auerbach. Beyond revolutionising the NBA, he laid the foundations of the game. The Boston clockmaker created an unparalleled mechanism: a defensive foundation built around Bill Russell and fast breaks launched by Bob Cousy. This flexible tactic, designed to adapt to the superstars of the era—such as Wilt Chamberlain—elevated the franchise to the top of the Major League. His NBA winning record stood for several decades before Larry Brown’s assistant took the helm of the Spurs.

2) Gregg Popovich 🥈 : In basketball, the number one goal is to win. With 1,390 victories under his belt, Gregg Popovich has put this saying into practice. During his 29 years with the San Antonio Spurs, the three-time COTY has brought home five championship rings for the franchise. There is a 15-year gap between his first ring in 1999 and his last in 2014. This is proof – if any were needed – of his extraordinary longevity in the same city. However, his legacy goes beyond the numbers. Pop is also known for his atypical style of play based on ultra-collective teamwork. Under his leadership, everyone attacked and everyone defended, constantly passing the ball. David Robinson, Tim Duncan and Tony Parker were held to the same high standards as any other player. His game plan was characterised by panache and tactical flexibility. He read the game and adapted accordingly. It is no coincidence that 12 of his former assistants have become head coaches. He was an open book, and only his health could stop him. Undoubtedly in the top three of our ranking, his second place could be disputed by Red Auerbach. However, he is undeniably the GOAT.

1) Phil Jackson 🐐 : Welcome to Phil Jackson’s jewellery shop! On display are 11 championship rings – a record in NBA history. Which one do you prefer? Michael Jordan’s first three-peat, or his second? Or would you be tempted by another Lakers three-peat, or even a back-to-back? The choice is yours! The Zen Master began by writing the legacy of the greatest player of all time, according to Paris Basketball. Six titles later in nine years, he changed conferences to join the Lakers. There, he gave another legend his letters of nobility: Kobe Bryant. Initially, when the Black Mamba was Shaq’s lieutenant, then as the undisputed leader at the end of the decade. With big-name superstars such as Dennis Rodman and Metta World Peace, he always managed to keep control of his team. The originator of the triangle offence, Phil Jackson knew how to combine ego management with tactical adaptation. With 0.704%, he also holds the best regular season winning percentage of all time. Quite simply, the GOAT !