NBA: Ranking every active head coach by playing career

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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Frank Vogel
Frank Vogel. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2021 NBAE. /

Every NBA head coach ranked by playing career: 27. Frank Vogel

The coach of the reigning champions, Frank Vogel, was not much of a player in his own right. He made it all the way to Juniata College in Huntington Pennsylvania, a Division III college, where he was a starter. He would ultimately transfer to the University of Kentucky after his third season where he would become a student manager as well as a member of the junior varsity team.

The jump to Kentucky was also his first step towards a coaching career. When his coach in college, Rick Pitino, took over as the head coach of the Boston Celtics Vogel was brought along as a video coordinator. He worked his way out of the video room to the bench before leaving for stints with the Philadelphia 76ers, Los Angeles Lakers and Washington Wizards before landing with the Indiana Pacers as an assistant. He would ultimately replace his boss, Jim O’Brien, starting his run as a head coach.

Vogel has become well respected for his defensive acumen, mostly accredited to his exemplary video scouting more than anything he did on the court. Frank Vogel is a grinder, willing to work harder than anyone else in the organization, just not on the court.