Reflecting on former San Antonio Spurs head coach Gregg Popovich's career, one cannot help but think of his impressive winning percentage, [multiple championship victories,](https://airalamo.com/ranking-gregg-popovich-legendary-championship-runs) and the superstars he developed over the years. However, his influence extends far beyond these achievements.
Popovich's influence can be seen throughout the current landscape of the NBA and will likely be felt for many years to come. Notably, several head coaches who have either played under him or worked alongside him have gone on to have successful careers of their own.
Let's explore and rank the best current and former head coaches who have either played under or coached alongside Popovich over the years.
The Popovich coaching tree that has ruled the NBA
-------------------------------------------------
4\. Mike Brown - NBA Head Coach (2005-2024)
-------------------------------------------
Mike Brown got his first chance as an NBA head coach when he was named an assistant on the Washington Wizards' staff in 1996. In 2000, Brown was promoted to head assistant with the Spurs, where he would stay for three seasons. He left shortly after the team captured its second championship in 2003 in David Robinson's final season.
Finally, in 2005, Brown agreed to become the head coach of the Cleveland Cavaliers, where he coached a young LeBron James. During his five-year tenure with the team, Brown led the Cavaliers to the NBA Finals in 2007 and was the Coach of the Year in 2009. During the Brown-James saga, the Cavs were one of the best teams in the NBA, but without getting another title shot after 2007, both parted ways with the franchise just a month apart in the summer of 2010.
Just one year removed from leading the Cavs, Brown was set to replace Phil Jackson as coach of the Los Angeles Lakers in 2011. After a first-round exit in the playoffs in his first year, his second year was as turbulent as they come.
With an aging Kobe Bryant and Pau Gasol still around, the Lakers front office signed Steve Nash and Dwight Howard with the hope of developing a championship-worthy core. As the season went on, injuries and poor chemistry led to an underwhelming season for everyone, leading Brown to be fired just weeks into the season.
After another quick stint in Cleveland, there was a 6-year period (2016-2022) where Brown was an assistant with the Golden State Warriors before getting a head coaching nod again with the Sacramento Kings.
Brown was the coach of the year again in 2023, developing De'Aaron Fox as a premier point guard in the NBA. Even though he was let go after three seasons, Brown has coached many big names over the years, and thanks to Popovich's influence, he has done a great job. Brown has the tools to become a championship-caliber coach, and one day he just might.
3\. Mike Budenholzer - NBA Head Coach (2013-2025)
-------------------------------------------------
After a short stint playing overseas, Mike Budenholzer, most recently head coach with the Phoenix Suns, became Popovich's assistant from 1996 to 2013. 16 years is perhaps one of the longest assistant coaching tenures before becoming a head coach, but Budenholzer proved that patience is key.
In 2014, he finally got his chance. Over the years, Bud has coached many talented teams during his tenure with the Atlanta Hawks, Milwaukee Bucks, and Phoenix Suns, in that order. With the Hawks, he built a dynamic squad featuring Jeff Teague, Al Horford, and Paul Millsap, leading them to the playoffs in four out of his five seasons. Their best season was in 2015, when they topped the Eastern Conference with 60 wins and reached the conference finals, earning Bud the Coach of the Year award.
In 2021, Budenholzer won his first NBA Championship with the Milwaukee Bucks, led by two-time MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo. In his most recent position, he coached stars like Devin Booker and Kevin Durant in Phoenix for two seasons, but management issues led to an early termination.
Given Budenholzer's strategic approach and his experience with high-profile players, it’s likely he will find a new coaching position soon, and he certainly deserves it. Popovich had a significant influence on Budenholzer, and now the Arizona native is building a successful coaching career for himself.
2\. Doc Rivers - NBA Head Coach (1999-present)
----------------------------------------------
Glenn "Doc" Rivers had a 13-year playing career, during which he played for four different teams. His best years came during his seven-season tenure with the Atlanta Hawks, where he played alongside Dominique Wilkins. He also had a successful stint with the New York Knicks before finishing his career with the Spurs during David Robinson's prime years in the mid-1990s.
In 1999, Doc got his first chance as a head coach with the Orlando Magic, who had traded away Penny Hardaway just before the season began. Despite the challenges, Rivers led the Magic to a 41-41 record, a jump from 31 wins the year prior.
He was awarded the Coach of the Year honor in his first season. After year one, the Magic went on a spending spree, acquiring Tracy McGrady and promptly giving him a $90 million extension. Furthermore, Orlando signed free-agent forward Grant Hill and attempted to persuade Spurs' Tim Duncan to join the team, which would have created one of the best trios in the NBA.
Although the "Big Three" did not come together for various reasons, Rivers still helped lead the Magic to playoff berths for the next three seasons while developing McGrady into one of the best scorers the league had ever seen. Shortly after being let go by the Magic, he moved to Boston to coach the Celtics in 2005. There, he experienced the most success of his career, reaching the NBA Finals twice and winning once in 2008, with a core team that included Kevin Garnett, Paul Pierce, and Ray Allen.
In 2010, Rivers was traded to the Los Angeles Clippers, where he again built another strong team. The "Lob City" era dominated the league in the early 2010s. Although the Clippers never won a championship, they were known to be a tough team to face.
Since then, Rivers has coached a handful of high-profile players with the Philadelphia 76ers and the Milwaukee Bucks, where he is currently in his second season. While Rivers has not returned to the finals since 2010, he has worked with some of the league’s biggest stars throughout his coaching career, developing an impressive resume.
Outside of playing for Popovich in his first year as a head coach, Rivers has sat next to Pop during summers with USA Basketball and has credited Popovich for his success on many occasions. Though often criticized, Rivers has still carved out a lengthy and successful coaching career in the NBA. Even if his fling with the Bucks is short-lived, you can bet he would get the call to go elsewhere soon after.
1\. Steve Kerr - Golden State Warriors Head Coach (2014-present)
----------------------------------------------------------------
Steve Kerr enjoyed a successful NBA playing career before establishing himself as one of the greatest coaches of all time. A talented sharpshooter in his time, Kerr played for several teams throughout his career but found a lasting home with the Chicago Bulls from 1993 to 1998.
During his time with the Bulls, he was a key contributor, helping the team win three championships. Following his tenure in Chicago, Kerr had two stints with the Spurs, [where he played a vital role](https://airalamo.com/posts/17-most-important-players-never-made-nba-all-star-team-san-antonio-spurs/2) and won two additional championships in 1999 and 2003.
Before becoming a full-time head coach in 2014, Kerr was a commentator on TNT, was a voiceover for numerous NBA video games, and spent his time in the front office with the Phoenix Suns. Finally, during Stephen Curry's fourth season, Kerr was now the head man with the Golden State Warriors.
During his Bay Area tenure, Kerr, alongside Curry, has led the team to become one of the most successful dynasties in professional sports history. The Warriors have made eight playoff appearances, reaching the NBA Finals six times and winning four championships with Kerr at the helm. He has had the luxury of having great talent over the years, but Kerr's expertise is just as responsible for the team's success.
In addition to his four seasons as a player with the Spurs, like most, Kerr has sat alongside Popovich on the bench during their time with USA Basketball. The two played key roles in the team’s Gold Medal run in 2021.
It’s hard to imagine the Warriors ever letting him go, but if that were to happen, Kerr would likely be picked up by another team in no time. Kerr is one of the league's greatest and is undoubtedly the best product of Popovich’s coaching tree.
Honorable Mention: Becky Hammon, Ime Udoka, Monty Williams, Quin Snyder
-----------------------------------------------------------------------