NBA: Greatest head coach in each team’s franchise history

Greatest head coach in Los Angeles Clippers history: Doc Rivers, 2013-2020

Most franchises experience a variety of highs and lows over time, with successful runs spaced between periods of rebuilding or struggle. For the Los Angeles Clippers, most of their 49-year history is simply lows and lower lows.

Only in the past decade has the narrative on the Clippers began to change, with the first successful core coming together in 2011. The team in recent years has gained a new owner, a new front office and most recently added the first major superstar free-agent signing in franchise history.

The coach overseeing the past six years of the Clippers can lay an easy claim to the title of the best coach in franchise history. Doc Rivers came to Los Angeles with championship clout. While the Clippers have not made it to the NBA Finals, they have gained respectability, due in large part to the personality and professionalism of their head coach.

Only one coach in Clippers franchise history has won more than 215 games and that is Rivers at 307. He has the highest winning percentage in franchise history at .624. His teams have always finished with a winning record, despite an often high amount of turnover. Only eight times before Rivers came did the Clippers ever have a winning record; two more years and he will likely have doubled that total.

Rivers is the only Clippers coach to win more than one playoff series and has led his teams to the playoffs in five of his six seasons. After winning 26 playoff games in 43 seasons, Rivers has won another 20 in six. Unlike many successful coaches, his success is not tied to a specific player, as the Clippers have completely turned over their roster and still stayed a winning team.

Given their status as title favorites this upcoming year, the Clippers and Rivers should only add to his totals. He will be hard to catch as the greatest coach in the history of a franchise that is finally seeing its time in the sun.