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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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Feb 5, 2016; Dallas, TX, USA; ESPN NBA analyst Jeff Van Gundy watches the game between the Dallas Mavericks and the San Antonio Spurs at the American Airlines Center. The Spurs defeat the Mavericks 116-90. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 5, 2016; Dallas, TX, USA; ESPN NBA analyst Jeff Van Gundy watches the game between the Dallas Mavericks and the San Antonio Spurs at the American Airlines Center. The Spurs defeat the Mavericks 116-90. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports /

Jeff Van Gundy

Years Active: 1996 to 2001, 2003 to 2007
Team(s): New York Knicks & Houston Rockets
Regular Season Record: 430-318 (.575)
Postseason Record: 44-44 (.500)

As Gregg Popovich is to the San Antonio Spurs, Jeff Van Gundy could’ve been to the New York Knicks. No, I’m not suggesting that Van Gundy would have five rings right now, but instead that Van Gundy could still be the head coach had he not resigned.

A student of the game who’s still only 54 years of age, Van Gundy could take over an NBA team today and likely experience a great deal of success.

In seven seasons as head coach of the Knicks, Van Gundy accumulated a record of 248-172, which translates to a win percentage of .590. New York reached the NBA Finals once and got back to the Eastern Conference Finals the next year.

Van Gundy also had two 50-win seasons over the course of his final three years with the Houston Rockets.

Van Gundy is a brilliant defensive mind who both motivated his players and was an excellent strategist. His passion for the game was infectious when he was a head coach, and it’s translated to his career as a broadcaster.

It’s possible that Van Gundy wouldn’t fit in the modern era, but he’s been close enough to the game to understand and adapt to the trends.

Next: Why Was He Fired?