List of NBA championship head coaches - wikipedia List of NBA championship head coaches The National Basketball Association ( NBA ) is a major professional basketball league in North America. It was founded in 1946 as the Basketball Association of America ( BAA ). The league adopted its current name at the start of the 1949 -- 50 season when it merged with the National Basketball League ( NBL ). The league consists of 30 teams, of which 29 are located in the United States and one in Canada. In the NBA, a head coach is the highest ranking coach of a coaching staff. They typically hold a more public profile and are paid more than the assistant coaches. Former Los Angeles Lakers head coach Phil Jackson won eleven NBA championships, the most in NBA history. He won six titles with the Chicago Bulls and five titles with the Lakers, and is the only coach who has won multiple championships with more than one team. Red Auerbach won nine championships with the Boston Celtics and won eight consecutive titles from 1959 to 1966. John Kundla, Pat Riley, and current San Antonio Spurs head coach Gregg Popovich have each won five championships. Kundla won all of his titles with the Lakers, and Popovich has won all of his titles with the Spurs, while Riley won four titles with the Lakers and one with the Miami Heat. Current Miami Heat head coach Erik Spoelstra and Golden State Warriors head coach Steve Kerr have each won two titles. Los Angeles Clippers head coach Doc Rivers, Dallas Mavericks head coach Rick Carlisle, and Cleveland Cavaliers head coach Tyronn Lue are the only other active coaches who have won a championship, Rivers having won while with the Boston Celtics in 2008. Of the championship head coaches, 14 ( Auerbach, Larry Brown, Carlisle, Bill Fitch, Tom Heinsohn, Red Holzman, Jackson, Dick Motta, Popovich, Riley, Kerr, Rivers, Bill Sharman, and Lenny Wilkens ) have won the Coach of the Year Award. 12 ( Auerbach, Brown, Chuck Daly, Alex Hannum, Heinsohn, Holzman, Jackson, Kundla, Jack Ramsay, Riley, Sharman, and Wilkens ) have been inducted to the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame as a coach. Several more have been enshrined as players or contributors. Fourteen of the head coaches also won championships as players, with both Buddy Jeannette and Bill Russell having won their only manager titles as player - coach. Riley and Lue are two of the only three coaches ( Paul Westhead being the third ) who have led teams to titles having only arrived in mid-season. Contents 1 Key 2 List 3 See also 4 Notes 5 References Key Yrs Number of years coached GC Games coached Wins Losses Win % Winning percentage Denotes coach who is currently coaching an NBA team * Elected to the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame as a coach * ^ Active NBA coach who has been elected to the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame List Note : Statistics are correct through the end of the 2016 -- 17 season. Number won Coach Team ( s ) won with ( years ) Coaching career Yrs GC Win % GC Win % Ref. Regular season Playoffs 7001110000000000000 ♠ 11 Jackson, Phil Phil Jackson * Chicago Bulls ( 1991, 1992, 1993, 1996, 1997, 1998 ) Los Angeles Lakers ( 2000, 2001, 2002, 2009, 2010 ) 1989 -- 1998, 1999 -- 2004, 2005 -- 2011 20 1,640 1,155 485. 704 333 229 104. 688 7000900000000000000 ♠ 9 Auerbach, Red Red Auerbach * Boston Celtics ( 1957, 1959, 1960, 1961, 1962, 1963, 1964, 1965, 1966 ) 1946 -- 1966 20 1,417 938 479. 662 168 99 69. 589 7000500000000000000 ♠ 5 Kundla, John John Kundla * Minneapolis Lakers ( 1949, 1950, 1952, 1953, 1954 ) 1948 -- 1958, 1958 -- 1959 11 725 423 302. 583 95 60 35. 632 7000500000000000000 ♠ 5 Riley, Pat Pat Riley * Los Angeles Lakers ( 1982, 1985, 1987, 1988 ) Miami Heat ( 2006 ) 1981 -- 2003, 2005 -- 2008 24 1,904 1,210 694. 636 282 171 111. 606 7000400000000000000 ♠ 5 Popovich, Gregg Gregg Popovich ^ San Antonio Spurs ( 1999, 2003, 2005, 2007, 2014 ) 1996 -- present 21 1,656 1,150 506. 694 272 166 106. 610 7000200000000000000 ♠ 2 Daly, Chuck Chuck Daly * Detroit Pistons ( 1989, 1990 ) 1981 -- 1994, 1997 -- 1999 14 1,075 638 437. 593 126 75 51. 595 7000200000000000000 ♠ 2 Hannum, Alex Alex Hannum * St. Louis Hawks ( 1958 ) Philadelphia 76ers ( 1967 ) 1956 -- 1958, 1960 -- 1968, 1969 -- 1971 12 883 471 412. 533 81 47 34. 580 7000200000000000000 ♠ 2 Heinsohn, Tom Tom Heinsohn * Boston Celtics ( 1974, 1976 ) 1969 -- 1978 9 690 427 263. 619 80 47 33. 588 7000200000000000000 ♠ 2 Holzman, Red Red Holzman * New York Knicks ( 1970, 1973 ) 1954 -- 1957, 1967 -- 1977, 1978 -- 1982 18 1,300 696 604. 535 106 58 48. 547 7000200000000000000 ♠ 2 Jones, K.C. K.C. Jones Boston Celtics ( 1984, 1986 ) 1974 -- 1976, 1983 -- 1988, 1990 -- 1992 10 774 522 252. 674 138 81 57. 587 7000200000000000000 ♠ 2 Russell, Bill Bill Russell Boston Celtics ( 1968, 1969 ) 1966 -- 1969, 1973 -- 1977, 1987 -- 1988 8 631 341 290. 540 61 34 27. 557 7000200000000000000 ♠ 2 Tomjanovich, Rudy Rudy Tomjanovich Houston Rockets ( 1994, 1995 ) 1992 -- 2003, 2004 -- 2005 13 943 527 416. 559 90 51 39. 567 7000100000000000000 ♠ 2 Spoelstra, Erik Erik Spoelstra ^ Miami Heat ( 2012, 2013 ) 2008 -- present 9 722 440 282. 609 113 70 43. 619 7000100000000000000 ♠ 2 Kerr, Steve Steve Kerr ^ Golden State Warriors ( 2015, 2017 ) 2014 -- present 246 207 39. 841 62 47 15. 758 7000100000000000000 ♠ 1 Attles, Al Al Attles Golden State Warriors ( 1975 ) 1969 -- 1983 14 1,075 557 518. 518 61 31 30. 508 7000100000000000000 ♠ 1 Brown, Larry Larry Brown * Detroit Pistons ( 2004 ) 1976 -- 1979, 1981 -- 1983, 1988 -- 2006, 2008 -- 2010 27 2,002 1,098 904. 548 193 100 93. 518 7000100000000000000 ♠ 1 Carlisle, Rick Rick Carlisle ^ Dallas Mavericks ( 2011 ) 2001 -- 2007, 2008 -- present 15 1,214 694 520. 572 120 58 62. 483 7000100000000000000 ♠ 1 Cervi, Al Al Cervi Syracuse Nationals ( 1955 ) 1949 -- 1956, 1958 -- 1959 9 567 326 241. 575 60 34 26. 567 7000100000000000000 ♠ 1 Costello, Larry Larry Costello Milwaukee Bucks ( 1971 ) 1968 -- 1976, 1978 -- 1979 10 730 430 300. 589 60 37 23. 617 7000100000000000000 ♠ 1 Cunningham, Billy Billy Cunningham Philadelphia 76ers ( 1983 ) 1977 -- 1985 8 650 454 196. 698 105 66 39. 629 7000100000000000000 ♠ 1 Fitch, Bill Bill Fitch Boston Celtics ( 1981 ) 1970 -- 1988, 1989 -- 1992, 1994 -- 1998 25 2,050 944 1,106. 460 109 55 54. 505 7000100000000000000 ♠ 1 Gottlieb, Edward Edward Gottlieb Philadelphia Warriors ( 1947 ) 1946 -- 1955 9 581 263 318. 453 32 15 17. 469 7000100000000000000 ♠ 1 Harrison, Lester Lester Harrison Rochester Royals ( 1951 ) 1948 -- 1955 7 476 295 181. 620 38 19 19. 500 7000100000000000000 ♠ 1 Jeannette, Buddy Buddy Jeannette Baltimore Bullets ( 1948 ) 1947 -- 1952, 1964 -- 1966, 1966 -- 1968 7 354 151 203. 427 24 14 10. 583 7000100000000000000 ♠ 1 Lue, Tyronn Tyronn Lue ^ Cleveland Cavaliers ( 2016 ) 2016 -- present 123 78 45. 634 39 29 10. 744 7000100000000000000 ♠ 1 Motta, Dick Dick Motta Washington Bullets ( 1978 ) 1968 -- 1980, 1980 -- 1987, 1990 -- 1991, 1994 -- 1997 25 1,952 935 1,017. 479 126 56 70. 444 7000100000000000000 ♠ 1 Ramsay, Jack Jack Ramsay * Portland Trail Blazers ( 1977 ) 1969 -- 1972, 1973 -- 1988 21 1,647 864 783. 525 102 44 58. 431 7000100000000000000 ♠ 1 Rivers, Doc Doc Rivers ^ Boston Celtics ( 2008 ) 1999 -- 2003, 2004 -- 2013, 2013 -- present 18 1,388 804 584. 579 161 82 79. 509 7000100000000000000 ♠ 1 Senesky, George George Senesky Philadelphia Warriors ( 1956 ) 1955 -- 1958 216 119 97. 551 20 10 10. 500 7000100000000000000 ♠ 1 Sharman, Bill Bill Sharman * Los Angeles Lakers ( 1972 ) 1966 -- 1968, 1971 -- 1977 7 573 333 240. 581 62 35 27. 565 7000100000000000000 ♠ 1 Westhead, Paul Paul Westhead Los Angeles Lakers ( 1980 ) 1979 -- 1981, 1982 -- 1983, 1990 -- 1992 6 407 183 224. 450 19 13 6. 684 7000100000000000000 ♠ 1 Wilkens, Lenny Lenny Wilkens * Seattle SuperSonics ( 1979 ) 1969 -- 1972, 1974 -- 1976, 1977 -- 1985, 1986 -- 2003, 2004 -- 2005 32 2,487 1,332 1,155. 536 178 80 98. 449 See also List of NBA champions List of NBA players with most championships Notes Each year is linked to an article about the BAA / NBA Finals in that year. Each year is linked to an article about that particular BAA / NBA season. References General `` NBA Coach Register ''. basketball-reference.com. Retrieved August 4, 2010. `` All - Time Regular Season Victories - Coaches ''. NBA.com. Turner Sports Interactive, Inc. Retrieved April 15, 2010. `` All - Time Playoffs : Coaches Won - Loss ''. NBA.com. Turner Sports Interactive, Inc. Retrieved April 15, 2010. Specific Jump up ^ Goldaper, Sam. `` The First Game ''. NBA.com. Turner Sports Interactive, Inc. Retrieved August 4, 2010. Jump up ^ `` 1949 -- 50 Season Overview : Powerful Lakers Repeat ''. NBA.com. Turner Sports Interactive, Inc. Retrieved August 4, 2010. Jump up ^ `` Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame Inductees ''. basketball-reference.com. Retrieved August 4, 2010. Jump up ^ `` NBA coaches who have won NBA championships as players, too ''. Fox Sports. June 17, 2015. Retrieved August 4, 2015. Jump up ^ Vogel, Brandon ( June 20, 2016 ). `` Hot Reads : Tryonn ''. Hail Varsity. Archived from the original on June 21, 2016. Retrieved June 30, 2016. Jump up ^ `` Phil Jackson Coaching Record ''. basketball-reference.com. Retrieved June 14, 2011. Jump up ^ `` Red Auerbach Coaching Record ''. basketball-reference.com. Retrieved April 19, 2010. Jump up ^ `` John Kundla Coaching Record ''. basketball-reference.com. Retrieved May 17, 2010. Jump up ^ `` Pat Riley Coaching Record ''. basketball-reference.com. Retrieved August 4, 2010. Jump up ^ `` Gregg Popovich Coaching Record ''. basketball-reference.com. Retrieved June 14, 2017. Jump up ^ `` Chuck Daly Coaching Record ''. basketball-reference.com. Retrieved May 16, 2010. Jump up ^ `` Alex Hannum Coaching Record ''. basketball-reference.com. Retrieved May 17, 2010. Jump up ^ `` Tom Heinsohn Coaching Record ''. basketball-reference.com. Archived from the original on May 17, 2008. Retrieved June 1, 2010. Jump up ^ `` Red Holzman Coaching Record ''. basketball-reference.com. Retrieved May 16, 2010. Jump up ^ `` K.C. Jones Coaching Record ''. basketball-reference.com. Retrieved May 17, 2010. Jump up ^ `` Bill Russell Coaching Record ''. basketball-reference.com. Retrieved June 10, 2010. Jump up ^ `` Rudy Tomjanovich Coaching Record ''. basketball-reference.com. Retrieved May 17, 2010. Jump up ^ `` Erik Spoelstra Coaching Record ''. basketball-reference.com. Retrieved June 14, 2017. Jump up ^ `` Steve Kerr Coaching Record ''. basketball-reference.com. Retrieved June 14, 2017. Jump up ^ `` Al Attles Coaching Record ''. basketball-reference.com. Retrieved May 16, 2010. Jump up ^ `` Larry Brown Coaching Record ''. basketball-reference.com. Retrieved June 14, 2011. Jump up ^ `` Rick Carlisle Coaching Record ''. basketball-reference.com. Retrieved June 14, 2017. Jump up ^ `` Al Cervi Coaching Record ''. basketball-reference.com. Retrieved July 29, 2010. Jump up ^ `` Larry Costello Coaching Record ''. basketball-reference.com. Retrieved May 17, 2010. Jump up ^ `` Billy Cunningham Coaching Record ''. basketball-reference.com. Retrieved June 1, 2010. Jump up ^ `` Bill Fitch Coaching Record ''. basketball-reference.com. Retrieved April 19, 2010. Jump up ^ `` Edward Gottlieb Coaching Record ''. basketball-reference.com. Retrieved June 10, 2010. Jump up ^ `` Les Harrison Coaching Record ''. basketball-reference.com. Retrieved August 9, 2010. Jump up ^ `` Buddy Jeanette Coaching Record ''. basketball-reference.com. Retrieved May 4, 2015. Jump up ^ `` Tyronn Lue Coaching Record ''. basketball-reference.com. Retrieved June 14, 2017. Jump up ^ `` Dick Motta Coaching Record ''. basketball-reference.com. Retrieved April 19, 2010. Jump up ^ `` Jack Ramsay Coaching Record ''. basketball-reference.com. Retrieved April 19, 2010. Jump up ^ `` Doc Rivers Coaching Record ''. basketball-reference.com. Retrieved June 14, 2017. Jump up ^ `` George Senesky Coaching Record ''. basketball-reference.com. Retrieved June 1, 2012. Jump up ^ `` Bill Sharman Coaching Record ''. basketball-reference.com. Retrieved July 29, 2010. Jump up ^ `` Paul Westhead Coaching Record ''. basketball-reference.com. Retrieved August 9, 2010. Jump up ^ `` Lenny Wilkens Coaching Record ''. basketball-reference.com. Retrieved April 15, 2010. 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Question: who has the most nba rings coach or player
Answer: Phil Jackson