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Being a coach in the NBA is an unforgiving job. Despite tremendous efforts being poured into the job, a coach only gets to remain as one whenever he produces results. Although coaching in the NBA often requires experience and mastery, there are special occasions when a rookie NBA coach gets the job done by bringing an NBA title to the franchise.
However, it's quite a rare occasion. This year, there's optimism that newly hired Lakers head coach and former NBA player JJ Redick will be the next coach to do so. But based on history, only a few have achieved the feat. Here is a look at 9 rookie coaches to win a NBA title.
Check out the gallery.
Nick Nurse (2019 Toronto Raptors)
The last rookie coach to guide a team to an NBA championship was Nick Nurse back in 2019 with the Toronto Raptors. Coaching a Raptors team headlined by newly acquired Kawhi Leonard, the squad took down the Eastern Conference, highlighted by a dramatic game-winner by The Klaw.
Nurse also led the Raptors past the back-to-back NBA champions, the Golden State Warriors, denying them a potential three-peat. It was the Raptors' first championship banner.
Tyronn Lue (2016 Cleveland Cavaliers)
David Blatt was doing relatively well as head coach of the Cavaliers, spearheaded by LeBron James and Kyrie Irving. After making it to the 2015 NBA Finals, the Cavs were highly expected to run it back. They did so, but only until midway through the 2015-2016 season.
Blatt then was fired, leading to Tyronn Lue becoming the interim head coach. Despite having no experience as coach, Lue led the Cavs to the franchise's first NBA championship at the expense of the 73-9 Golden State Warriors. It's worth noting that in the process, the Cavs made history as the first-ever team to climb out of a 3-1 NBA Finals series deficit.
Steve Kerr (2015 Golden State Warriors)
Hiring Steve Kerr was the missing puzzle piece for the Golden State Warriors to become a legitimate championship contender. After several seasons in purgatory, Kerr coached the Warriors to the 2014 NBA championship.
Led by the Splash Brothers of Stephen Curry and Klay Thompson to go along with Draymond Green, the Warriors become a dynasty after that. The Kerr-coached squad made five more trips to the NBA Finals that resulted in three more NBA titles.
Pat Riley (1982 Los Angeles Lakers)
After becoming a part of the Lakers' championship team in 1972 as a player, Pat Riley seamlessly transitioned into a head coach with the Purple and Gold. Midway through the season, with the firing of Paul Westhead, Riley was tasked to lead the Lakers squad headlined by Magic Johnson and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar.
Riley led the squad with a record of 50-21 the remainder of the season before hoisting the trophy. Riley was the brains behind establishing the Showtime Era.
Paul Westhead (1980 Los Angeles Lakers)
Due to an injured Jack McKinney, who endured a bicycle accident that landed him in the hospital, Paul Westhead took over for the Lakers for the rest of the 1979-1980 season.
Westhead posted a 50-18 record with the Lakers before leading the Purple and Gold to a championship in his first year as head coach. The Lakers team featured Kareem Abdul-Jabbar and rookie Magic Johnson.
George Senesky (1956 Philadelphia Warriors)
Day 12 of #30DayCardChallenge is a Vintage card. I’ll step out of the Red Sox realm for this one. George Senesky went to Saint Joe’s and the led the nation in scoring his senior season. Cool piece of history from my alma mater pic.twitter.com/YvwQQ6lSx9
— Jesse’s Cards (@JDieselCards) June 21, 2022
Just shortly after hanging up his basketball sneakers with the Philadelphia Warriors, George Senesky immediately returned to the organization but this time as head coach. Right from the get-go, Senesky easily made an impact for the team, even as a head coach. He helped the Warriors defeat the Fort Wayne Pistons in five games to emerge victorious in the 1956 NBA Finals.
John Kundla (1949 Minneapolis Lakers)
John Kundla was making waves at the college ranks before the newly formed franchise, Minneapolis Lakers, came knocking. Surprisingly, Kundla actually turned down the offer originally. The Lakers upped the offer by doubling his salary, convincing the highly touted coach to take the job.
Fortunately, the wait was worth it, as Kundla immediately went to work, helping the Lakers win the 1949 NBA championship. He led the franchise to four more championships afterwards.
Buddy Jeannette (1948 Baltimore Bullets)
Si vous suivez toujours, les Baltimore Bullets font donc leurs débuts en BAA un an après la création de la ligue. Menés par l’entraîneur-joueur Buddy Jeannette, la franchise du Maryland gagne en finale contre les tenants du titre, les Philadelphia Warriors. pic.twitter.com/XaIJxc5SKi
— Game 7 (@TheFlosko) July 29, 2022
Unlike other coaches in this list, Buddy Jeannette actually won his championship as a player-coach for the Baltimore Bullets. Around that time, the league was still called the BAA. It was certainly an incredible feat for the player-coach.
Eddie Gotlieb (1947 Philadelphia Warriors)
Guy Rodgers and Eddie Gotlieb of the old Philly Warriors. Rodgers like Lavoy Allen a proud Temple Alum. pic.twitter.com/RQnXFzso
— FINALVINYLREVIVAL ™ (@AJohnKyriazis) May 17, 2012
Prior to John Kundla, the man who coached the Philadelphia Warriors was Eddie Gotlieb. Like his player Kundla, Gotlieb became a champion coach as early as his first season. Gotlieb guided the Warriors past the Chicago Stags in a Finals matchup between rookie coaches.
