It is often thought that the best coaches are those who have experience playing the game at a high level in the NBA . However, some of you might be surprised that some of the greatest and most iconic NBA coaches of all time never played a single game in the league.
Despite not having an NBA career as a player on their resumes, these coaches have left a lasting impact on the sport through their brilliance and leadership skills. Let's get to know some of them on this list.
Erik Spoelstra
Erik Spoelstra's journey to NBA coaching success is an inspiring story of perseverance, hard work, and dedication. Growing up in a basketball-loving family, Spoelstra's passion for basketball began at a young age.
After playing basketball in high school, Spoe attended the University of Portland, where he also played for the school's basketball team. He didn't put up incredible numbers, but he pulled off remarkable performances to win the WCAC Rookie of the Year award.
Unlike other college players, Spoelstra did not declare for the NBA Draft. Instead, he embarked on a coaching career, starting as a video coordinator for the Miami Heat in 1995. Spoe's knack for coaching did not go unnoticed. Paired with a work ethic and commitment to the game, Spoelstra quickly caught the coaching staff's attention, and he steadily moved up the ranks within the organization.
In 2008, Spoelstra made history when he was named the head coach of the Heat, becoming the first Asian-American head coach in the NBA. Despite facing skepticism and doubt from some critics, Spoelstra remained focused on his goals.
Under Spoelstra's leadership, the Heat reached the NBA Finals from 2011 to 2014 and won two championships. Spoelstra is still actively coaching the Heat at present, but he has already undeniably solidified his place as a legendary figure in NBA coaching lore.
Mike Malone
Born in Queens, New York, Mike Malone grew up surrounded by basketball. His father, Brendan Malone, was also an NBA coach, which inspired Mike to follow in his footsteps. He attended college at Loyola University in Maryland, where he played and honed his skills as a player.
Malone had to earn his spot in the school's starting lineup and eventually became a starter in his senior year. However, Malone wasn't really the type of player that NBA scouts would track, having averaged 5.2 points and 3.7 assists per game in his senior year.
After college, Malone began his coaching career as an assistant coach for several teams, including the New York Knicks and the Cleveland Cavaliers. In 2013, he finally landed a head coaching job and was named the head coach of the Sacramento Kings. Two years later, he joined the Denver Nuggets .
Though he has never played in the NBA, Malone has proven himself to be one of the best coaches of his time. He led the Nuggets to an emphatic NBA championship in 2023 and has made the team one of the most dominant in the league at present.
Frank Vogel
Frank Vogel 's passion for the game ignited at a young age like most of his peers. After graduating from Wildwood High School in 1991, Vogel was recruited by two colleges, but he opted to join Juniata College in Huntingdon, Pennsylvania, where he played as a starting point guard.
In 1994, Vogel left Juniata for the University of Kentucky, where he learned a lot from Rick Pitino, the student manager of the Kentucky Wildcats men's basketball team. He eventually joined Pitino's roster and played for the team.
Vogel graduated from college three years later and was hired as an assistant coach for the Boston Celtics in 2000. He later worked with the Philadelphia 76ers and the Indiana Pacers .
In 2011, Vogel's NBA coaching career took a huge turn when he was appointed the Pacers' head coach. Under his leadership, the Pacers experienced great success and became Eastern Conference contenders once again.
After parting ways with the Pacers in 2016, Vogel spent two seasons with the Orlando Magic before being recruited by the Los Angeles Lakers . In LA, Vogel reached the zenith of his prowess as a coach and led the "Purple and Gold" to a controversial yet memorable championship victory, a feat the Lakers have longed to accomplish for 10 years.
Despite never lacing up for the NBA during his playing years, Vogel is recognized in the modern NBA for his strategic insights.
Mike Brown
Mike Brown only played college basketball at the University of San Diego during his junior and senior year. He was decent as a player but he knew early on that he had the aptitude for coaching.
True to form, Brown managed to work his way to the NBA not as a player but as an assistant coach. He worked for the Washington Wizards, San Antonio Spurs, and Pacers. Through his consistently impressive output, Brown finally got his big break in 2005 when he was named the head coach of the Cleveland Cavaliers .
At the time, Brown knew that he was tasked with coaching and helping the soaring LeBron James lead the Cavs to success, and he did not fail to deliver, having spearheaded the team to the Finals in 2007. Despite losing, Brown's work made waves in the league back then, considering James was the lone multi-time All-Star player on his roster that season.
In 2009, Brown was crowned as the NBA's Coach of the Year after leading the Cavs to a league-best and franchise-record 66 wins and 16 losses. He once again copped the award in 2023 with the Sacramento Kings .
In 2016, Brown returned to being an assistant coach and joined the Golden State Warriors coaching staff before landing a head coaching job once again with the Kings in 2022.
Red Auerbach
Known for his vibrant red hair and spirited nature, Red Auerbach quickly earned the nickname "Red" when playing basketball during his childhood years in Williamsburg, Brooklyn. During the Great Depression, Auerbach showcased his basketball skills at PS 122 and later at Eastern District High School as a combo guard. His talent did not go unnoticed, as the World Telegram honored him as "Second Team All-Brooklyn" in his final year of high school.
Following a year at Seth Low Junior College, Auerbach was granted a sports scholarship to join the George Washington Revolutionaries men's basketball team in Washington, D.C., and graduated in 1941.
Five years later, Red debuted his pro basketball coaching as the head coach of the Washington Capitols of the Basketball Association of America (BAA), which later merged with the National Basketball League (NBL) to form the NBA.
In 1950, Auerbach became the head coach of the Boston Celtics , marking the beginning of an era of dominance for the team. Under Auerbach's leadership, the Celtics won an incredible nine NBA championships in 10 years, including eight consecutive titles from 1959 to 1966. His coaching style was innovative, and he was known for his strategic brilliance and ability to motivate his players to perform at their best.
Throughout his coaching career, Auerbach received many accolades and honors. He was named the NBA Coach of the Year in 1965 and was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 1969. In retrospect, even though Red never played in the NBA, his impact on the game is lasting and profound.
Joe Mazzulla
Joe Mazzulla stood out at Bishop Hendricken High School in Rhode Island, earning three all-state first-team recognitions and three state titles. In college, Mazzulla joined West Virginia and was named captain in his junior year. With his versatility and notable basketball IQ, Mazzulla was pivotal to the school's Final Four appearance in 2010.
Following his college graduation, Mazzulla received a coaching position at Nova Southeastern. However, he declined the offer to explore a professional playing career. Subsequently, Mazzulla assumed the role of an assistant at Glenville State in September 2011 after unsuccessful attempts to secure professional playing opportunities with several organizations, including the NBA.
Mazzulla then made significant strides coaching Fairmont State in the NCAA and Maine Red Claws of the NBA G-League. His commendable work was later recognized in the NBA, and the Celtics hired him as an assistant coach in 2019.
In 2022, Mazzulla took over as the Celtics head coach. Two years later, Joe emphatically led the C's to the franchise's 18th NBA championship.
Despite not having played in the NBA, Mazzulla's coaching record spoke for itself. By the look of it, it's safe to say that not being an NBA player was never a chip on Joe's shoulder.
Gregg Popovich
Many have revered Gregg Popovich as one of the greatest basketball coaches of all time. Despite never playing in the NBA, Popovich's coaching skills and leadership qualities have earned him numerous titles, awards, and records.
Popovich attended the United States Air Force Academy and played for the school's men's basketball team. Contrary to his coaching style, Pop became known as a scorer and was the captain of the team in his senior year.
After graduating from college, Popovich was appointed the Armed Forces Team captain in 1972. He helped the team win the Amateur Athletic Union (AAU) championship. Popovich returned to the Air Force Academy as an assistant coach a year later. From there, Pop worked his way into the NBA and was hired as an assistant coach for the San Antonio Spurs , a position he held from 1988 to 1994.
In 1996, Popovich made his head coaching debut for the Spurs. After three seasons at the helm, Pop led the Spurs to their first NBA championship in franchise history by beating the New York Knicks in 1999.
Popovich won four more championships with the Spurs and cemented his name as arguably the best tactician of his generation. Today, Pop is the NBA's winningest coach, leading his team to 1,388 wins.
Under Popovich's guidance, the Spurs experienced great success, ultimately morphing into one of the best NBA dynasties of all time. Throughout his coaching career, Pop has been recognized for his exceptional coaching abilities, winning the NBA's Coach of the Year award three times.
In conclusion, these coaches proved that you don't have to be an NBA player to become a great coach. For them, it wasn't always about being the best player but understanding the game and how to lead a team.
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