NBA head coach is perhaps the most tumultuous job in the sport. With each team looking to find immediate success, the coaching wheel keeps spinning year after year. Whether it’s a disgruntled star, a disappointing year, or not meeting expectations, the life of an NBA head coach can change in the blink of an eye.
Considering that, the 2024-25 season has already seen some changes for teams like the Sacramento Kings. Here’s a list of all the current head coaches in the National Basketball Association.
List of NBA Head Coaches
Eastern Conference
- Atlanta Hawks | Quin Snyder
Joined on Feb. 26, 2023 - Boston Celtics | Joe Mazzulla
Joined on Feb. 16, 2023 - Brooklyn Nets | Jordi Fernández
Joined on April 22, 2024 - Charlotte Hornets | Charles Lee
Joined on May 9, 2024 - Chicago Bulls | Billy Donovan
Joined on Sept. 22, 2020 - Cleveland Cavaliers | Kenny Atkinson
Joined on June 28, 2024 - Detroit Pistons | J.B. Bickerstaff
Joined on July 3, 2024 - Indiana Pacers | Rick Carlisle
Joined on June 24, 2021 - Miami Heat | Erik Spoelstra
Joined on April 28, 2008 - Milwaukee Bucks | Doc Rivers
Joined on Jan. 26, 2024 - New York Knicks | Tom Thibodeau
Joined on July 30, 2020 - Orlando Magic | Jamahl Mosley
Joined on July 11, 2021 - Philadelphia 76ers | Nick Nurse
Joined on June 1, 2023 - Toronto Raptors | Darko Rajaković
Joined on June 13, 2023 - Washington Wizards | Brian Keefe
Joined on May 29, 2024
Western Conference
- Dallas Mavericks | Jason Kidd
Joined on June 28, 2021 - Denver Nuggets | Michael Malone
Joined on June 15, 2015 - Golden State Warriors | Steve Kerr
Joined on May 19, 2014 - Houston Rockets | Ime Udoka
Joined on April 25, 2023 - Los Angeles Clippers | Tyronn Lue
Joined on Oct. 20, 2020 - Los Angeles Lakers | JJ Redick
Joined on June 24, 2024 - Memphis Grizzlies | Taylor Jenkins
Joined on June 11, 2019 - Minnesota Timberwolves | Chris Finch
Joined on Feb. 22, 2021 - New Orleans Pelicans | Willie Green
Joined on July 22, 2021 - Oklahoma City Thunder | Mark Daigneault
Joined on Nov. 11, 2020 - Phoenix Suns | Mike Budenholzer
Joined on May 11, 2024 - Portland Trail Blazers | Chauncey Billups
Joined on June 27, 2021 - Sacramento Kings | Doug Christie
Joined on Dec. 27, 2024 - San Antonio Spurs | Gregg Popovich
Joined on Dec. 10, 1996 - Utah Jazz | Will Hardy
Joined on June 29, 2022
NBA’s Longest-Tenured Head Coaches
- Gregg Popovich, San Antonio Spurs, 28 years
- Doc Rivers, Milwaukee Bucks, 23 years
- Rick Carlisle, Indiana Pacers, 22 years
- Erik Spoelstra, Miami Heat, 16 years
- Tom Thibodeau, 12 years
After signing an extension to remain with the Spurs and overlooking the maturation process for Victor Wembanyama, Popovich will lead San Antonio for some time. With 28 years of experience and five championships already under his belt, he might be the perfect name to mentor and nurture Wemby into the future.
Apart from Pop, Spoelstra is the only other name to spend his entire career with the same team on this list. All three of Rivers, Carlisle, and Thibodeau have taken the mantle for multiple organizations.
First-Time Head Coaches in the NBA
The Nets, Hornets, Kings, Wizards, and Lakers were looking for new leadership up top. As a result, each of those destinations has a new head coach to lead their group.
For the Nets and Wizards, it was a case of facilitating a rebuild that will take some time to come to completion. So, they chose first-timers Fernández and Keefe, respectively, to lead the charge for their young groups.
Meanwhile, the Kings and Hornets weren’t satisfied with the job their head coaches were doing. Mike Brown was replaced by Christie midway through the season, whereas Lee took over from Steve Clifford after his second stint in Charlotte.
The Lakers, after an ugly divorce from Darvin Ham, chose to take on Redick in his first experience as a coach and gave him a shot to run the team. While their record has been an improvement from last season, the playoffs are ultimately going to test the mettle of the former sharpshooter.
