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NBA AWARD HISTORY

NBA Coach of the Year winners

64 official selections across 64 award seasons, 1963–2026. Explore the winners, historical teams and repeat recipients.

Reference checked 2026-10-09; source revision dated 2026-09-05. Reference revision. Historical team names and recipient labels are preserved. Counts describe this dated award history.

At a glance

Latest listed winner
Joe Mazzulla — 2025–26
Most selections in this history
Don Nelson (3), Gregg Popovich (3), Pat Riley (3)
Distinct official recipients
50

Team records below are reported in the award reference; they are distinct from career coaching totals. Compare the dated head-coach directory.

Official winners by season

Career award no. is the recipient’s cumulative total at that selection. Team names reflect the franchise name at the time of the award.

Coach of the Year: official winners, newest award year first
SeasonCoachTeam at awardTeam W–LTeam win%Source nationalityCareer award no.
2025–26Joe MazzullaBoston Celtics56–26.683United States1
2024–25Kenny AtkinsonCleveland Cavaliers64–18.780United States1
2023–24Mark DaigneaultOklahoma City Thunder57–25.695United States1
2022–23Mike BrownSacramento Kings48–34.585United States2
2021–22Monty WilliamsPhoenix Suns64–18.780United States1
2020–21Tom ThibodeauNew York Knicks41–31.569United States2
2019–20Nick NurseToronto Raptors46–18.719United States1
2018–19Mike BudenholzerMilwaukee Bucks60–22.732United States2
2017–18Dwane CaseyToronto Raptors59–23.720United States1
2016–17Mike D'AntoniHouston Rockets55–27.671United States Italy2
2015–16Steve KerrGolden State Warriors73–9.890United States1
2014–15Mike BudenholzerAtlanta Hawks60–22.732United States1
2013–14Gregg PopovichSan Antonio Spurs62–20.756United States3
2012–13George KarlDenver Nuggets57–25.695United States1
2011–12Gregg PopovichSan Antonio Spurs50–16.758United States2
2010–11Tom ThibodeauChicago Bulls62–20.756United States1
2009–10Scott BrooksOklahoma City Thunder50–32.610United States1
2008–09Mike BrownCleveland Cavaliers66–16.805United States1
2007–08Byron ScottNew Orleans Hornets56–26.683United States1
2006–07Sam MitchellToronto Raptors47–35.573United States1
2005–06Avery JohnsonDallas Mavericks60–22.732United States1
2004–05Mike D'AntoniPhoenix Suns62–20.756United States Italy1
2003–04Hubie BrownMemphis Grizzlies50–32.610United States2
2002–03Gregg PopovichSan Antonio Spurs60–22.732United States1
2001–02Rick CarlisleDetroit Pistons50–32.610United States1
2000–01Larry BrownPhiladelphia 76ers56–26.683United States1
1999–00Doc RiversOrlando Magic41–41.500United States1
1998–99Mike DunleavyPortland Trail Blazers35–15.700United States1
1997–98Larry BirdIndiana Pacers58–24.707United States1
1996–97Pat RileyMiami Heat61–21.744United States3
1995–96Phil JacksonChicago Bulls72–10.878United States1
1994–95Del HarrisLos Angeles Lakers48–34.585United States1
1993–94Lenny WilkensAtlanta Hawks57–25.695United States1
1992–93Pat RileyNew York Knicks60–22.732United States2
1991–92Don NelsonGolden State Warriors55–27.671United States3
1990–91Don ChaneyHouston Rockets52–30.634United States1
1989–90Pat RileyLos Angeles Lakers63–19.768United States1
1988–89Cotton FitzsimmonsPhoenix Suns55–27.671United States2
1987–88Doug MoeDenver Nuggets54–28.659United States1
1986–87Mike SchulerPortland Trail Blazers49–33.598United States1
1985–86Mike FratelloAtlanta Hawks50–32.610United States1
1984–85Don NelsonMilwaukee Bucks59–23.720United States2
1983–84Frank LaydenUtah Jazz45–37.549United States1
1982–83Don NelsonMilwaukee Bucks51–31.622United States1
1981–82Gene ShueWashington Bullets43–39.524United States2
1980–81Jack McKinneyIndiana Pacers44–38.537United States1
1979–80Bill FitchBoston Celtics61–21.744United States2
1978–79Cotton FitzsimmonsKansas City Kings48–34.585United States1
1977–78Hubie BrownAtlanta Hawks41–41.500United States1
1976–77Tom NissalkeHouston Rockets49–33.598United States1
1975–76Bill FitchCleveland Cavaliers49–33.598United States1
1974–75Phil JohnsonKansas City–Omaha Kings44–38.537United States1
1973–74Ray ScottDetroit Pistons52–30.634United States1
1972–73Tom HeinsohnBoston Celtics68–14.829United States1
1971–72Bill SharmanLos Angeles Lakers69–13.841United States1
1970–71Dick MottaChicago Bulls51–31.622United States1
1969–70Red HolzmanNew York Knicks60–22.732United States1
1968–69Gene ShueBaltimore Bullets57–25.695United States1
1967–68Richie GuerinSt. Louis Hawks56–26.683United States1
1966–67Johnny KerrChicago Bulls33–48.407United States1
1965–66Dolph SchayesPhiladelphia 76ers55–25.688United States1
1964–65Red AuerbachBoston Celtics62–18.775United States1
1963–64Alex HannumSan Francisco Warriors48–32.600United States1
1962–63Harry GallatinSt. Louis Hawks48–32.600United States1

Every repeat winner

Questions about this award history

Who is the latest Coach of the Year winner in this archive?
Joe Mazzulla — 2025–26, in the reference checked on 2026-10-09. This archive contains completed award selections, not predictions.
Who has the most Coach of the Year selections in this history?
Don Nelson (3), Gregg Popovich (3), Pat Riley (3). Counts include official selections from award year 1963 through 2026; tied leaders are all included.
How many seasons does this Coach of the Year archive cover?
64 award seasons and 64 official selections, from 1963 through 2026. A shared award counts as one season with multiple selections.
What does the record beside each Coach of the Year winner mean?
It is the winning team’s regular-season record listed in the award reference. It is not a career coaching record or an inference from sampled games.