Everybody makes mistakes. It happens. Unfortunately for some NBA GMs and ownership groups, a mistake on a head coaching hire can set the team back for years. It has happened to every team at one point or another in the course of its history, so here is the worst coaching hire in the history of every franchise.
Atlanta Hawks - Lon Kruger
Getty ImagesIn the early 2000s, Kruger just wasn't able to figure it out with the Hawks, a team that had been good for the nearly two decades before his hire. He didn't have the same talent on his roster that some other Hawks coaches did, but he sent the team into a nearly decade-long era of losing.
Record with Team: 69-122
In the early 2000s, Kruger just wasn't able to figure it out with the Hawks, a team that had been good for the nearly two decades before his hire. He didn't have the same talent on his roster that some other Hawks coaches did, but he sent the team into a nearly decade-long era of losing.
Boston Celtics - Rick Pitino
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As we well know, great college coaches don't always pan out at the professional level. That was the case with Pitino, who totally flopped in Boston. His teams ranged from mediocre to bad in his three seasons, and he was quickly kicked to the curb, where he resumed being a great college head coach.
Record with Team: 102-146
As we well know, great college coaches don't always pan out at the professional level. That was the case with Pitino, who totally flopped in Boston. His teams ranged from mediocre to bad in his three seasons, and he was quickly kicked to the curb, where he resumed being a great college head coach.
Brooklyn Nets - Avery Johnson
Getty ImagesAs he proved in his time with the Mavericks, Johnson wasn't a terrible coach overall, but he wasn't the right fit for the Nets. They never sniffed contention under his watch, and they didn't seem motivated to improve either. Usually, that lack of motivation comes down to the head coach.
Record with Team: 60-116
As he proved in his time with the Mavericks, Johnson wasn't a terrible coach overall, but he wasn't the right fit for the Nets. They never sniffed contention under his watch, and they didn't seem motivated to improve either. Usually, that lack of motivation comes down to the head coach.
Charlotte Hornets - Paul Silas
Getty ImagesSilas didn't even last two full seasons with Charlotte and for good reason. He was never able to get the then-Bobcats to gel as a team; instead they were a collection of individual players all trying to get their own. Selfish team basketball like that comes down to the head coach and his lack of game plan installation.
Record with Team: 32-88
Silas didn't even last two full seasons with Charlotte and for good reason. He was never able to get the then-Bobcats to gel as a team; instead they were a collection of individual players all trying to get their own. Selfish team basketball like that comes down to the head coach and his lack of game plan installation.
Chicago Bulls - Tim Floyd
Getty ImagesTo be fair, Floyd walked into a terrible situation. The 1990s Bulls dynasty had just broken up and it was his job to pick up the pieces. He didn't do that very well, and the front office didn't help him out much in the draft. Following one of the greatest dynasties in league history, though, fans didn't want to make excuses for Floyd.
Record with Team: 49-190
To be fair, Floyd walked into a terrible situation. The 1990s Bulls dynasty had just broken up and it was his job to pick up the pieces. He didn't do that very well, and the front office didn't help him out much in the draft. Following one of the greatest dynasties in league history, though, fans didn't want to make excuses for Floyd.
Cleveland Cavaliers - Tom Nissalke
Getty ImagesNissalke was mildly successful at other stops in his career, but he didn't fit with the Cavaliers at all. Starting just two years after he was fired, the team became one of the best in the league, posting a 316-258 record from 1986-93 under Lenny Wilkens. That proved Nissalke had wasted two Cavaliers seasons.
Record with Team: 51-113
Nissalke was mildly successful at other stops in his career, but he didn't fit with the Cavaliers at all. Starting just two years after he was fired, the team became one of the best in the league, posting a 316-258 record from 1986-93 under Lenny Wilkens. That proved Nissalke had wasted two Cavaliers seasons.
Dallas Mavericks - Quinn Buckner
Getty ImagesBuckner didn't get much of a chance in Dallas, coaching just one season, but he led the team to its worst record in history. Barely winning double digit games, it seemed like he knew he was a placeholder and was content with that. Right or wrong, it led to abysmal results.
Record with Team: 13-69
Buckner didn't get much of a chance in Dallas, coaching just one season, but he led the team to its worst record in history. Barely winning double digit games, it seemed like he knew he was a placeholder and was content with that. Right or wrong, it led to abysmal results.
Denver Nuggets - Brian Shaw
Getty ImagesThe most disappointing thing about Shaw's tenure in Denver is that he was supposed to be one of the bright, young head coaches in the league when he was hired in 2013. It never worked out that way, though, and now other teams are wary of the head coach who butchered things so badly in Colorado.
Record with Team: 56-85
The most disappointing thing about Shaw's tenure in Denver is that he was supposed to be one of the bright, young head coaches in the league when he was hired in 2013. It never worked out that way, though, and now other teams are wary of the head coach who butchered things so badly in Colorado.
Detroit Pistons - Dick Vitale
Getty ImagesYes, that's right, Dicky V actually coached the Pistons in parts of two seasons in the 1970s. As you can tell, he didn't fare well at all, which is something he readily admits. Less than a decade later, under new leadership, the team would go on to sustained success until the early 1990s.
Record with Team: 34-60
Yes, that's right, Dicky V actually coached the Pistons in parts of two seasons in the 1970s. As you can tell, he didn't fare well at all, which is something he readily admits. Less than a decade later, under new leadership, the team would go on to sustained success until the early 1990s.
Golden State Warriors - Mike Montgomery
Getty ImagesWhile his record isn't quite as terrible as some of the other coaches on this list, Montgomery was the worst hire in team history because he didn't get enough out of his roster. Consistently, the team should have been relatively competitive and repeatedly they fell short. Fair or not, underachievement usually falls on the head coach.
Record with Team: 68-96
While his record isn't quite as terrible as some of the other coaches on this list, Montgomery was the worst hire in team history because he didn't get enough out of his roster. Consistently, the team should have been relatively competitive and repeatedly they fell short. Fair or not, underachievement usually falls on the head coach.
Houston Rockets - Don Chaney
Getty ImagesBased on his record with the team, it may not make sense that Chaney was the worst coach in team history. However, when you look at how the team performed immediately after his dismissal, it makes sense. They were a middle-of-the-road team under his watch, yet they became back-to-back NBA champions within six years of him leaving.
Record with Team: 164-134
Based on his record with the team, it may not make sense that Chaney was the worst coach in team history. However, when you look at how the team performed immediately after his dismissal, it makes sense. They were a middle-of-the-road team under his watch, yet they became back-to-back NBA champions within six years of him leaving.
Indiana Pacers - George Irvine
Getty ImagesIrvine simply never looked like he knew how to lead a relatively untalented Pacers roster. Between 1984-86, the Pacers were never even close to contending and a lot of that falls on Irvine. The team actually made him interim head coach again for 20 games in 1989 and he went 6-14. Clearly, he wasn't the man for the job.
Record with Team: 54-130
Irvine simply never looked like he knew how to lead a relatively untalented Pacers roster. Between 1984-86, the Pacers were never even close to contending and a lot of that falls on Irvine. The team actually made him interim head coach again for 20 games in 1989 and he went 6-14. Clearly, he wasn't the man for the job.
Los Angeles Clippers - Vinny Del Negro
John David Mercer-USA Today SportsDel Negro is another coach who didn't get nearly enough out of his team. His teams were good when they had the chance to be great, and he never pushed them to the greatness they could have achieved. New head coach Doc Rivers is getting closer with his team, although the Clippers still tend to underachieve in the postseason.
Record with Team: 128-102
Del Negro is another coach who didn't get nearly enough out of his team. His teams were good when they had the chance to be great, and he never pushed them to the greatness they could have achieved. New head coach Doc Rivers is getting closer with his team, although the Clippers still tend to underachieve in the postseason.
Los Angeles Lakers - Byron Scott
Gary A. Vasquez-USA Today SportsIn less than two seasons with the Lakers, Scott has somehow managed to make the team even less inspired than when he took over. He has a tough gig, having to play Kobe Bryant more minutes than he should, but he also never seems to be trying to light a fire under his team. That will ensure he's not in L.A. when the team is competitive again.
Record with Team: 33-111
In less than two seasons with the Lakers, Scott has somehow managed to make the team even less inspired than when he took over. He has a tough gig, having to play Kobe Bryant more minutes than he should, but he also never seems to be trying to light a fire under his team. That will ensure he's not in L.A. when the team is competitive again.
Memphis Grizzlies - Brian Hill
Getty ImagesHill was very successful at other stops in the NBA, but he was absolutely atrocious in Memphis. The team won barely a fifth of its games across a two-year stretch, which is unacceptable. Luckily for Hill, his time in Memphis didn't define him, and overall, he had a respectable career.
Record with Team: 31-123
Hill was very successful at other stops in the NBA, but he was absolutely atrocious in Memphis. The team won barely a fifth of its games across a two-year stretch, which is unacceptable. Luckily for Hill, his time in Memphis didn't define him, and overall, he had a respectable career.
Miami Heat - Stan Van Gundy
Mark J. Rebilas-USA Today SportsVan Gundy actually had a very good record with the team, but he kept falling just short of expectations. That prompted Pat Riley to install himself as the team's coach, and wouldn't you know it, they won an NBA title. With that move, Riley showed firsthand what the difference is between a good coach and a great one.
Record with Team: 112-73
Van Gundy actually had a very good record with the team, but he kept falling just short of expectations. That prompted Pat Riley to install himself as the team's coach, and wouldn't you know it, they won an NBA title. With that move, Riley showed firsthand what the difference is between a good coach and a great one.
Milwaukee Bucks - Larry Drew
Getty ImagesDrew didn't get much of a chance in Milwaukee, but he also didn't really earn one. The team limped to a terrible finish and then decided to make Jason Kidd their new head coach while giving him a lot of power over the roster. The team never trusted Drew to give him any such control.
Record with Team: 15-67
Drew didn't get much of a chance in Milwaukee, but he also didn't really earn one. The team limped to a terrible finish and then decided to make Jason Kidd their new head coach while giving him a lot of power over the roster. The team never trusted Drew to give him any such control.
Minnesota Timberwolves - Kurt Rambis
Getty ImagesEvidently, great players don't always make great coaches. Rambis failed to inspire his team the way he was able to inspire during his playing days and that was his ultimate demise. Even after having instant credibility in the locker room, he was unable to get the team to be competitive over the course of two seasons.
Record with Team: 32-132
Evidently, great players don't always make great coaches. Rambis failed to inspire his team the way he was able to inspire during his playing days and that was his ultimate demise. Even after having instant credibility in the locker room, he was unable to get the team to be competitive over the course of two seasons.
New Orleans Pelicans - Byron Scott
Ed Szczepanski-USA Today SportsPoor Byron Scott is on this list twice for being the worst head coach in the history of two franchises. His teams were normally decent in New Orleans, but that was the problem. He could never get them over the hump which ended up being the end of him in NOLA.
Record with Team: 203-216
Poor Byron Scott is on this list twice for being the worst head coach in the history of two franchises. His teams were normally decent in New Orleans, but that was the problem. He could never get them over the hump which ended up being the end of him in NOLA.
New York Knicks - Isiah Thomas
Getty ImagesThe Knicks weren't just bad with Thomas as their head coach; he also never seemed like he had any clue what he was doing. It appeared he thought he could just wing it, but that didn't work out so well for him. Surprisingly, some collegiate teams gave him a chance to coach, and he fared equally poorly at nearly every stop.
Record with Team: 56-108
The Knicks weren't just bad with Thomas as their head coach; he also never seemed like he had any clue what he was doing. It appeared he thought he could just wing it, but that didn't work out so well for him. Surprisingly, some collegiate teams gave him a chance to coach, and he fared equally poorly at nearly every stop.
Oklahoma City Thunder - P.J. Carlesimo
Anthony Gruppuso-USA Today SportsPerhaps the team was so upset with Carlesimo's performance that they decided to move from Seattle to Oklahoma City. Obviously, that wasn't the case, but Carlesimo was brutal with this franchise. Even though Scott Brooks never got them over the hump, he helped the team become more competitive with a much-improved roster.
Record with Team: 21-74
Perhaps the team was so upset with Carlesimo's performance that they decided to move from Seattle to Oklahoma City. Obviously, that wasn't the case, but Carlesimo was brutal with this franchise. Even though Scott Brooks never got them over the hump, he helped the team become more competitive with a much-improved roster.
Orlando Magic - Jacque Vaughn
Isaiah J. Downing-USA Today SportsThe most impressive thing about Vaughn's tenure with the Magic is that he was able to keep his job as long as he did. He never seemed competent on the sidelines and as a result, his teams never seriously competed. Orlando was once a nice destination for prospective head coaches, but Vaughn helped turn it into one of the least attractive spots in the league.
Record with Team: 58-158
The most impressive thing about Vaughn's tenure with the Magic is that he was able to keep his job as long as he did. He never seemed competent on the sidelines and as a result, his teams never seriously competed. Orlando was once a nice destination for prospective head coaches, but Vaughn helped turn it into one of the least attractive spots in the league.
Philadelphia 76ers - Maurice Cheeks
Getty ImagesAfter the Allen Iverson glory days with the 76ers, the team had a series of abysmal coaches, none a bigger failure than Maurice Cheeks. He essentially drove this team into the ground when it still had some talent. Obviously, the team is even worse now, but at least now they're terrible by design.
Record with Team: 113-133
After the Allen Iverson glory days with the 76ers, the team had a series of abysmal coaches, none a bigger failure than Maurice Cheeks. He essentially drove this team into the ground when it still had some talent. Obviously, the team is even worse now, but at least now they're terrible by design.
Phoenix Suns - Lindsey Hunter
Getty ImagesFile this under "failed experiments." In half a season at the helm, Hunter, barely removed from his own playing career, proved he wasn't ready to be a head coach yet. You have to be pretty bad to not even be given a year to prove yourself in the league.
Record with Team: 12-29
File this under "failed experiments." In half a season at the helm, Hunter, barely removed from his own playing career, proved he wasn't ready to be a head coach yet. You have to be pretty bad to not even be given a year to prove yourself in the league.
Portland Trail Blazers - Jack McCloskey
Getty ImagesMcCloskey's only head coaching gig in the NBA came in Portland, and it seems apparent why he didn't get another job following his run from 1972-74. His teams were never even somewhat competitive and they seemed resigned to that fact. If he would've tried to motivate his teams a little more, maybe he would've had a more sustained NBA head coaching career.
Record with Team: 48-116
McCloskey's only head coaching gig in the NBA came in Portland, and it seems apparent why he didn't get another job following his run from 1972-74. His teams were never even somewhat competitive and they seemed resigned to that fact. If he would've tried to motivate his teams a little more, maybe he would've had a more sustained NBA head coaching career.
Sacramento Kings - Paul Westphal
Getty ImagesHere's another case of a very good player making a lousy coach. He wasn't terrible at every stop in the NBA, but he sure was bad with the Kings. With constant talk of relocation and a pretty terrible roster, it's hard to blame Westphal for faring so poorly in California's capital city.
Record with Team: 51-120
Here's another case of a very good player making a lousy coach. He wasn't terrible at every stop in the NBA, but he sure was bad with the Kings. With constant talk of relocation and a pretty terrible roster, it's hard to blame Westphal for faring so poorly in California's capital city.
San Antonio Spurs - Bob Weiss
Getty ImagesWait, you mean Gregg Popovich hasn't been the Spurs' coach forever? Well, no, Weiss was there a decade before, and he wasn't nearly the coach Pop is now. Of course, his roster wasn't nearly as good, but Weiss wasn't a tactician which ultimately helped lead to his demise.
Record with Team: 59-105
Wait, you mean Gregg Popovich hasn't been the Spurs' coach forever? Well, no, Weiss was there a decade before, and he wasn't nearly the coach Pop is now. Of course, his roster wasn't nearly as good, but Weiss wasn't a tactician which ultimately helped lead to his demise.
Toronto Raptors - Jay Triano
Getty ImagesThe Raptors have a relatively short history, but in their two decades in the league, Triano is the worst head coach they've had. He lasted three seasons and never had the team competitive. Those days are behind Toronto now, as they're a perennial contender in the Eastern Conference.
Record with Team: 87-142
The Raptors have a relatively short history, but in their two decades in the league, Triano is the worst head coach they've had. He lasted three seasons and never had the team competitive. Those days are behind Toronto now, as they're a perennial contender in the Eastern Conference.
Utah Jazz - Elgin Baylor
Getty ImagesAcross two stints with the Jazz (his first was one game in 1974), the great Elgin Baylor was never able to get much out of his team. When great players become coaches, they often run into problems because they expect average players to be able to do the things they did easily during their playing careers. Perhaps that's where Baylor fell into trouble.
Record with Team: 86-135
Across two stints with the Jazz (his first was one game in 1974), the great Elgin Baylor was never able to get much out of his team. When great players become coaches, they often run into problems because they expect average players to be able to do the things they did easily during their playing careers. Perhaps that's where Baylor fell into trouble.
Washington Wizards - Eddie Jordan
Getty ImagesJordan never let the team be terrible, but his Wizards were never particularly good either. That explains how he lasted more than five seasons in the nation's capital, but eventually the team got sick of mediocrity. Like the Raptors, the team is now no longer mediocre and is one of a few contenders in the Eastern Conference.
Record with Team: 197-224
Jordan never let the team be terrible, but his Wizards were never particularly good either. That explains how he lasted more than five seasons in the nation's capital, but eventually the team got sick of mediocrity. Like the Raptors, the team is now no longer mediocre and is one of a few contenders in the Eastern Conference.
