Hoops Habit
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NBA: Former Head Coaches Who Deserve Another Chance

By Maxwell Ogden

Jan 9, 2015; Oakland, CA, USA; Former Golden State Warriors head coach Mark Jackson and current ESPN commentator smiles before the start of the game against the Cleveland Cavaliers at Oracle Arena. Mandatory Credit: Cary Edmondson-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 9, 2015; Oakland, CA, USA; Former Golden State Warriors head coach Mark Jackson and current ESPN commentator smiles before the start of the game against the Cleveland Cavaliers at Oracle Arena. Mandatory Credit: Cary Edmondson-USA TODAY Sports /
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May 19, 2015; Oakland, CA, USA; Golden State Warriors center Marreese Speights (5, left) talks to ESPN broadcaster Mark Jackson (right) before game one of the Western Conference Finals of the NBA Playoffs against the Houston Rockets at Oracle Arena. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports
May 19, 2015; Oakland, CA, USA; Golden State Warriors center Marreese Speights (5, left) talks to ESPN broadcaster Mark Jackson (right) before game one of the Western Conference Finals of the NBA Playoffs against the Houston Rockets at Oracle Arena. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports /

Mark Jackson

Years Active: 2011 to 2014
Team(s): Golden State Warriors
Regular Season Record: 121-109 (.526)
Postseason Record: 9-10 (.474)

When Mark Jackson was the head coach of the Golden State Warriors, few teams played harder. He’s a master motivator who convinced offensive-minded players to embrace a defensive-minded approach to the game.

Though the jury is still out on whether or not he could be the strategist that NBA coaches need to be, Jackson certainly deserves another chance.

Jackson spent three years with the Warriors, and the team got better every season. After going 23-43 in his first season at the helm, Jackson took Golden State to a 47-35 record in 2012-13, and a mark of 51-31 in 2013-14.

That 51-win season marked the first time since 1993-94 that the Warriors had recorded at least 50 victories in a single season.

For as successful as he was, the knock on Jackson was that he could motivate anyone, but couldn’t draw up a play to save himself. Thus, while he clearly has appeal, the concern appears to be that he’s inflexible in the way he approaches the game.

If Jackson gets the right supporting cast of assistant coaches, however, he could develop into one of the better coaches in the NBA.

Next: The One Who Got Away