Cleveland Cavaliers: 5 candidates to replace Tyronn Lue as head coach
3. Mark Jackson
- Record: 121-109 (.526)
- Last head coaching job: Golden State Warriors (2013-14)
Despite its brevity, Mark Jackson’ coaching tenure in the Bay Area was a successful one. He coached the Golden State Warriors for three seasons, improving in record each season and even capping off his run with a 51-win season that placed the Warriors as the third seed in the West.
His removal from the head coach position in Golden State left many confused at the time. It turned out to fruitful move for the Warriors, as new head coach Steve Kerr has helped add three championships and even claimed a Coach of the Year award for himself in 2016.
Though Kerr’s coaching style may have been better suited for Golden State’s talent, Jackson was still a great coach. In his time with Golden State he regularly had the team playing a high pace and had the Warriors’ offense and defense positioned in the top half of the league his final two seasons.
Jackson has not hidden his interest in a return to coaching. Despite being booted by a team that immediately propelled itself into discussions as an all-time great dynasty, Mark Jackson has shown an ability to be a winning coach in today’s NBA, and winning is exactly what Cleveland is looking for.