List of Cleveland Cavaliers head coaches - wikipedia List of Cleveland Cavaliers head coaches The Cleveland Cavaliers are an American professional basketball team based in Cleveland, Ohio. The Cavaliers play in the Central Division of the Eastern Conference in the National Basketball Association ( NBA ). The team joined the NBA in 1970 as an expansion team and won their first Eastern Conference championship in 2007. The Cavaliers have played their home games at the Quicken Loans Arena, formerly known as Gund Arena, since 1994. The Cavaliers are owned by Dan Gilbert, with David Griffin as their general manager. American R&B - pop singer Usher Raymond is a minority owner. There have been 19 head coaches for the Cavaliers franchise. The franchise 's first head coach was Bill Fitch, who coached for nine seasons. Fitch is the franchise 's all - time leader for the most regular - season games coached ( 738 ) ; Lenny Wilkens is the franchise 's all - time leader for the most regular - season game wins ( 316 ) ; Mike Brown is the franchise 's all - time leader for the most playoff games coached ( 71 ), the most playoff - game wins ( 42 ), and the highest regular - season winning percentage (. 620 ). Chuck Daly and Wilkens are the only Cavaliers coaches to have been elected into the Basketball Hall of Fame as a coach. Fitch and Daly were also named one of the top 10 coaches in NBA history. Fitch and Brown are the only Cavaliers coaches to have won the NBA Coach of the Year Award. Don Delaney spent his entire NBA coaching careers with the Cavaliers. Contents 1 Key 2 Coaches 3 Notes 4 References Key After coaching the Cavaliers for 41 games ( with a 9 -- 32 record ), Chuck Daly was dismissed during the 1981 -- 82 season. GC Games coached Wins Losses Win % Winning percentage # Number of coaches * Spent entire NBA head coaching career with the Cavaliers Elected into the Basketball Hall of Fame as a coach Coaches Note : Statistics are correct through the end of the 2016 -- 17 season. # Name Term GC Win % GC Win % Achievements Reference Regular season Playoffs 7000100000000000000 ♠ 1 Fitch, Bill Bill Fitch 1970 -- 1979 738 304 434. 412 18 7 11. 389 1975 -- 76 NBA Coach of the Year One of the top 10 coaches in NBA history 7000200000000000000 ♠ 2 Albeck, Stan Stan Albeck 1979 -- 1980 82 37 45. 451 -- -- -- -- 7000300000000000000 ♠ 3 Musselman, Bill Bill Musselman 1980 -- 1981 71 25 46. 352 -- -- -- -- 7000400000000000000 ♠ 4 Delaney, Don Don Delaney * 1981 26 7 19. 269 -- -- -- -- 7000500000000000000 ♠ 5 Kloppenburg, Bob Bob Kloppenburg 1981 0. 000 -- -- -- -- 7000600000000000000 ♠ 6 Daly, Chuck Chuck Daly 1981 -- 1982 41 9 32. 220 -- -- -- -- One of the top 10 coaches in NBA history 7000700000000000000 ♠ -- Musselman, Bill Bill Musselman 1982 15 11. 267 -- -- -- -- 7000800000000000000 ♠ 7 Nissalke, Tom Tom Nissalke 1982 -- 1984 164 51 113. 311 -- -- -- -- 7000900000000000000 ♠ 8 Karl, George George Karl 1984 -- 1986 149 61 88. 409. 250 7001100000000000000 ♠ 9 Littles, Gene Gene Littles 1986 15 11. 267 -- -- -- -- 7001110000000000000 ♠ 10 Wilkens, Lenny Lenny Wilkens 1986 -- 1993 574 316 258. 551 41 18 23. 439 One of the top 10 coaches in NBA history 7001120000000000000 ♠ 11 Fratello, Mike Mike Fratello 1993 -- 1999 460 248 212. 539 14 12. 143 7001130000000000000 ♠ 12 Wittman, Randy Randy Wittman 1999 -- 2001 164 62 102. 378 -- -- -- -- 7001140000000000000 ♠ 13 Lucas, John John Lucas 2001 -- 2003 124 37 87. 298 -- -- -- -- 7001150000000000000 ♠ 14 Smart, Keith Keith Smart 2003 40 9 31. 225 -- -- -- -- 7001160000000000000 ♠ 15 Silas, Paul Paul Silas 2003 -- 2005 146 69 77. 473 -- -- -- -- 7001170000000000000 ♠ 16 Malone, Brendan Brendan Malone 2005 18 8 10. 444 -- -- -- -- 7001180000000000000 ♠ 17 Brown, Mike Mike Brown 2005 -- 2010 410 272 138. 663 71 42 29. 592 Eastern Conference Championship ( 2007 ) 2008 -- 09 NBA Coach of the Year 7001190000000000000 ♠ 18 Scott, Byron Byron Scott 2010 -- 2013 230 64 166. 278 -- -- -- -- 7001200000000000000 ♠ -- Brown, Mike Mike Brown 2013 -- 2014 82 33 49. 402 -- -- -- -- 7001200000000000000 ♠ 19 Blatt, David David Blatt 2014 -- 2016 113 83 40. 675 20 14 6. 700 Eastern Conference Championship ( 2015 ) 7001210000000000000 ♠ 20 Lue, Tyronn Tyronn Lue 2016 - 2017 123 78 45. 634 39 29 10. 744 NBA championships ( 2016 ) Lenny Wilkens was the head coach of the Cleveland Cavaliers from 1986 to 1993. Two - time head coach Mike Brown who led the Cavaliers from 2005 to 2010, and again during the 2013 -- 14 season. During his first stint, he led the Cavs to their first NBA Finals appearance in 2007. Byron Scott was the head coach of the Cavaliers from 2010 to 2013. During the 2010 -- 2011 season, the Cavs lost 26 games in a row - tied for the longest losing streak in the four major professional sports. David Blatt led the Cavaliers head coach from 2014 -- 2016. Current head coach Tyronn Lue Notes A running total of the number of coaches of the Cavaliers. Thus, any coach who has two or more separate terms as head coach is only counted once. Each year is linked to an article about that particular NBA season. References General `` Year - By - Year Finish and Coaching Records ''. NBA.com. Turner Sports Interactive, Inc. Retrieved November 29, 2008. `` Cleveland Cavaliers Coach Register ''. basketball-reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. Retrieved November 29, 2008. Specific ^ Jump up to : `` 2006 - 07 Cleveland Cavaliers Statistics ''. basketball-reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. Retrieved November 26, 2008. Jump up ^ `` Gund Arena to be renamed Quicken Loans Arena ''. ESPN.com. August 2, 2005. Retrieved November 29, 2008. Jump up ^ `` Executive Bios and Directory ''. NBA.com. Cleveland Cavaliers. Retrieved July 9, 2015. Jump up ^ Davis, Carolyn E. ( February 25, 2005 ). `` Usher About To Become Part - Owner Of Cleveland Cavaliers ''. MTV. Retrieved November 30, 2008. ^ Jump up to : `` Bill Fitch Coaching Record ''. basketball-reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. Retrieved November 26, 2008. ^ Jump up to : `` Lenny Wilkens Coaching Record ''. basketball-reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. Retrieved November 26, 2008. ^ Jump up to : `` Chuck Daly Coaching Record ''. basketball-reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. Retrieved November 26, 2008. ^ Jump up to : `` Top 10 Coaches in NBA History ''. NBA.com. Turner Sports Interactive. Retrieved November 29, 2008. ^ Jump up to : `` Coach of the Year ''. NBA.com. Turner Sports Interactive, Inc. Retrieved November 29, 2008. ^ Jump up to : `` Don Delaney Coaching Record ''. basketball-reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. Retrieved November 26, 2008. Jump up ^ `` Daly, `` Chuck '' ( Charles J. ) ``. hickoksports.com. Archived from the original on February 23, 2002. Retrieved December 2, 2008. Jump up ^ `` Chuck Daly Biography ''. Hit ! Run ! Score !, Inc. Archived from the original on September 22, 2008. Retrieved December 2, 2008. Jump up ^ Bill Nichols. `` Activist Stepien Axes Daly, March 27, 1982 ''. The Sporting News. Archived from the original on November 21, 2008. Retrieved December 2, 2008. Jump up ^ `` Stan Albeck Coaching Record ''. basketball-reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. Retrieved November 26, 2008. ^ Jump up to : `` Bill Musselman Coaching Record ''. basketball-reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. Retrieved November 26, 2008. Jump up ^ `` Bob Kloppenburg Coaching Record ''. basketball-reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. Retrieved November 26, 2008. Jump up ^ `` Tom Nissalke Coaching Record ''. basketball-reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. Retrieved November 26, 2008. Jump up ^ `` George Karl Coaching Record ''. basketball-reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. Retrieved November 26, 2008. Jump up ^ `` Gene Littles Coaching Record ''. basketball-reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. Retrieved November 26, 2008. Jump up ^ `` Mike Fratello Coaching Record ''. basketball-reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. Retrieved November 26, 2008. Jump up ^ `` Randy Wittman Coaching Record ''. basketball-reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. Retrieved November 26, 2008. Jump up ^ `` John Lucas Coaching Record ''. basketball-reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. Retrieved November 26, 2008. Jump up ^ `` Keith Smart Coaching Record ''. basketball-reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. Retrieved November 26, 2008. Jump up ^ `` Paul Silas Coaching Record ''. basketball-reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. Retrieved November 26, 2008. Jump up ^ `` Brendan Malone Coaching Record ''. basketball-reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. Retrieved November 26, 2008. ^ Jump up to : `` Mike Brown Coaching Record ''. basketball-reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. Retrieved May 14, 2010. Jump up ^ `` Byron Scott Coaching Record ''. basketball-reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. Retrieved December 18, 2012. Cleveland Cavaliers head coaches Bill Fitch ( 1970 -- 1979 ) Stan Albeck ( 1979 -- 1980 ) Bill Musselman ( 1980 -- 1981 ) Don Delaney # ( 1981 ) Bob Kloppenburg # ( 1981 ) Chuck Daly ( 1981 -- 1982 ) Bill Musselman ( 1982 ) Tom Nissalke ( 1982 -- 1984 ) George Karl ( 1984 -- 1986 ) Gene Littles # ( 1986 ) Lenny Wilkens ( 1986 -- 1993 ) Mike Fratello ( 1993 -- 1999 ) Randy Wittman ( 1999 -- 2001 ) John Lucas II ( 2001 -- 2003 ) Keith Smart # ( 2003 ) Paul Silas ( 2003 -- 2005 ) Brendan Malone # ( 2005 ) Mike Brown ( 2005 -- 2010 ) Byron Scott ( 2010 -- 2013 ) Mike Brown ( 2013 -- 2014 ) David Blatt ( 2014 -- 2016 ) Tyronn Lue ( 2016 -- ) Pound sign ( # ) denotes interim head coach. Cleveland Cavaliers Founded in 1970 Based in Cleveland, Ohio Franchise History 1970 Expansion Draft All - time roster Draft history Seasons Head coaches Current season Arenas Cleveland Arena Richfield Coliseum Quicken Loans Arena Key personnel Owner : Dan Gilbert General manager : Koby Altman Assistant GM : Mike Gansey Head coach : Tyronn Lue Culture and lore Big Three `` Cleveland Rocks '' Cleveland sports curse Joe Tait Ted Stepien rule The Block The Decision The Miracle of Richfield The Shot Rivalries Chicago Bulls Golden State Warriors Playoff appearances ( 21 ) 1976 1977 1978 1985 1993 1998 2006 2007 2008 2009 2015 2016 2017 Central Division titles ( 6 ) 1976 2009 2015 2016 2017 Eastern Conference titles ( 4 ) 2007 2015 2016 2017 NBA Championships ( 1 ) 2016 Retired numbers 7 11 22 25 34 42 43 Hall of Fame inductees Wayne Embry Nate Thurmond Lenny Wilkens G League affiliate Canton Charge Media Broadcasters Radio network Flagships : WTAM WMMS Spanish : WLFM - LP Television : Fox Sports Ohio Current head coaches of the National Basketball Association Eastern Conference Atlantic Brad Stevens ( Boston Celtics ) Kenny Atkinson ( Brooklyn Nets ) Jeff Hornacek ( New York Knicks ) Brett Brown ( Philadelphia 76ers ) Dwane Casey ( Toronto Raptors ) Central Fred Hoiberg ( Chicago Bulls ) Tyronn Lue ( Cleveland Cavaliers ) Stan Van Gundy ( Detroit Pistons ) Nate McMillan ( Indiana Pacers ) Jason Kidd ( Milwaukee Bucks ) Southeast Mike Budenholzer ( Atlanta Hawks ) Steve Clifford ( Charlotte Hornets ) Erik Spoelstra ( Miami Heat ) Frank Vogel ( Orlando Magic ) Scott Brooks ( Washington Wizards ) Western Conference Northwest Michael Malone ( Denver Nuggets ) Tom Thibodeau ( Minnesota Timberwolves ) Billy Donovan ( Oklahoma City Thunder ) Terry Stotts ( Portland Trail Blazers ) Quin Snyder ( Utah Jazz ) Pacific Steve Kerr ( Golden State Warriors ) Doc Rivers ( Los Angeles Clippers ) Luke Walton ( Los Angeles Lakers ) Earl Watson ( Phoenix Suns ) Dave Joerger ( Sacramento Kings ) Southwest Rick Carlisle ( Dallas Mavericks ) Mike D'Antoni ( Houston Rockets ) David Fizdale ( Memphis Grizzlies ) Alvin Gentry ( New Orleans Pelicans ) Gregg Popovich ( San Antonio Spurs ) Retrieved from `` https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=List_of_Cleveland_Cavaliers_head_coaches&oldid=801685102 '' Categories : Lists of National Basketball Association head coaches by team Cleveland Cavaliers head coaches Cleveland - related lists Hidden categories : Articles with hCards Featured lists Talk Contents About Wikipedia Español ქართული Português Edit links This page was last edited on 21 September 2017, at 05 : 26. 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Question: who was the cavs coach before tyronn lue
Answer: David Blatt