It has been yet another remarkable year on the NBA’s head coaching merry-go-round, with eight franchises initiating coaching shifts since the calendar changed to 2024.
This cohort includes the Cavaliers, whose former head coach – J.B. Bickerstaff – held the sixth position on the list of the NBA’s most enduring coaches before his termination this spring. Ultimately, Bickerstaff secured a new position in Detroit, so he reappears on the list below — albeit now at 30th place, as he is the head coach that was most recently appointed.
Surprisingly, after Bucks coach Adrian Griffin and Suns coach Frank Vogel were positioned 28th and 29th on this list last year as two of the league’s latest hires, Milwaukee and Phoenix have ascended to 24th and 27th in this year’s version even though both made coaching modifications in 2024.
Since the Bucks announced Doc Rivers as Griffin’s successor in January, six new head coaches have been appointed, while three head coaches were brought on this summer following the Suns’ decision to appoint Mike Budenholzer as Vogel’s replacement in May.
Here’s the present overview of the NBA’s longest-serving head coaches by team:
- Gregg Popovich, Spurs: December 1996
- Erik Spoelstra, Heat: April 2008
- Steve Kerr, Warriors: May 2014
- Michael Malone, Nuggets: June 2015
- Taylor Jenkins, Grizzlies: June 2019
- Tom Thibodeau, Knicks: July 2020
- Billy Donovan, Bulls: September 2020
- Tyronn Lue, Clippers: October 2020
- Mark Daigneault, Thunder: November 2020
- Chris Finch, Timberwolves: February 2021
- Rick Carlisle, Pacers: June 24, 2021
- Chauncey Billups, Trail Blazers: June 27, 2021
- Jason Kidd, Mavericks: June 28, 2021
- Jamahl Mosley, Magic: July 11, 2021
- Willie Green, Pelicans: July 22, 2021
- Mike Brown, Kings: May 2022
- Will Hardy, Jazz: June 2022
- Joe Mazzulla, Celtics: September 2022
- Note: Mazzulla became the Celtics’ interim head coach in September 2022 and was promoted to the permanent head coach in February 2023.
- Quin Snyder, Hawks: February 2023
- Ime Udoka, Rockets: April 2023
- Nick Nurse, Sixers: June 1, 2023
- Darko Rajakovic, Raptors: June 13, 2023
- Brian Keefe, Wizards: January 25, 2024
- Note: Keefe became the Wizards’ interim head coach in January 2024 and was officially named the permanent head coach in May 2024.
- Doc Rivers, Bucks: January 26, 2024
- Jordi Fernandez, Nets: April 2024
- Charles Lee, Hornets: May 9, 2024
- Mike Budenholzer, Suns: May 11, 2024
- J.J. Redick, Lakers: June 24, 2024
- Kenny Atkinson, Cavaliers: June 28, 2024
- J.B. Bickerstaff, Pistons: July 2024
The past year exhibited above-average consistency among the top half of the league’s longest-serving coaches — Bickerstaff was the sole individual in the top 15 to be replaced.
Nevertheless, this roster illustrates how challenging it is for an NBA head coach to remain in one location. Only five active coaches possess more than four seasons with their existing teams, while precisely half of the league’s current coaches have been with their organizations for no more than two seasons.
Image Source: Cesar Ortiz Gonzalez / Shutterstock
