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NBA: Ranking every active head coach by playing career

By Corey Rausch

March 23, 2021; San Francisco, California, USA; Golden State Warriors head coach Steve Kerr during the fourth quarter against the Philadelphia 76ers at Chase Center. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports
March 23, 2021; San Francisco, California, USA; Golden State Warriors head coach Steve Kerr during the fourth quarter against the Philadelphia 76ers at Chase Center. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports /
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Mike Budenholzer
Mike Budenholzer (Photo by Douglas P. DeFelice/Getty Images) /

Every NBA head coach ranked by playing career: 12. Mike Budenholzer

Mike Budenholzer had a college career that did not seem likely to result in a professional career. He attended Pomona College, a liberal arts school where he was a four-year letterman in both golf and basketball. Not exactly a hotbed for collegiate athletics, Budenholzer was still given an opportunity to pursue his passion. The future Coach of the Year went to Denmark.

Budenholzer spent one season with Vejle Basketball Klub. He was the leading scorer (27.5 points per game) and got his first coaching experience, leading two of the youth teams affiliated with the club. After one season, he finished his playing career after he was offered a position as a video coordinator for the San Antonio Spurs.

After two years in that role, he would ascend to assistant coach for a team that would win four championships during his 17 season tenure. He was ultimately given his first chance as a head coach with the Atlanta Hawks, where he would win his first Coach of the Year award. After five mostly successful seasons with the Hawks, the two sides agreed to part ways, resulting in his hiring by the Milwaukee Bucks. Since then, he has won another Coach of the Year award and is doing what he can to win his first title as the lead man.