The shift from NCAA to NBA coaching isn’t a new phenomenon, but it’s one fraught with hurdles. Many NCAA legends who shined in college flounder in the pros, and the same goes for coaches. The NBA is a whole new ball game.
NCAA Legends Who Shocked the NBA World
The Los Angeles Lakers’ interest in Dan Hurley, UConn’s back-to-back national champion coach, stirs up curiosity and skepticism. Hurley faces a daunting challenge that few have successfully navigated. GIVEMESPORT examines the top five NCAA coaches who have managed this tricky transition.
1. LARRY BROWN
College Record: 262-100 (.724), NBA Record: 1,098-904 (.548)
Larry Brown stands tall as a coaching legend. No other coach has matched his success in both college and the NBA. Brown’s illustrious career includes stints with the Carolina Cougars, Denver Nuggets, and Kansas Jayhawks, where he clinched the 1988 NCAA title.
Brown’s crowning achievement? He’s the only coach to win both an NCAA and NBA championship, the latter with the Detroit Pistons in 2004. His health forced him to step back in 2022, but his legacy is unshakable.
2. BRAD STEVENS
College Record: 854-306 (.736), NBA Record: 350-281 (.555)
Brad Stevens is a basketball genius. He turned the Butler Bulldogs into a powerhouse, nearly winning a national title with Gordon Hayward’s near-miss buzzer-beater. Stevens’ fresh approach revitalized the Boston Celtics, leading them to the Eastern Conference Finals three times.
In 2021, Stevens shifted to an executive role, crafting rosters that propelled the Celtics to two NBA Finals in three years. His impact is undeniable, both on and off the court.
3. BILLY DONOVAN
College Record: 502-206 (.709), NBA Record: 399-313 (.548)
Billy Donovan, a legend in college coaching, has found solid footing in the NBA. His 19-year tenure with the Florida Gators brought back-to-back NCAA titles in 2006-07. Donovan then took the reins of the Oklahoma City Thunder in 2015, making the playoffs each year but only advancing past the first round once.
Now with the Chicago Bulls, Donovan’s NBA journey is a testament to his adaptability and resilience.
4. RICK PITINO
College Record: 854-306 (.736), NBA Record: 192-220 (.466)
Rick Pitino’s coaching career is a rollercoaster of highs and lows. He led three schools to the NCAA Final Four and won championships with Kentucky and Louisville. However, his NBA stints with the New York Knicks and Boston Celtics were less successful, with a combined record of 192-220.
Pitino has returned to college coaching, now leading the St. John’s Red Storm, where his expertise continues to shine.
5. FRED HOIBERG
College Record: 178-150 (.543), NBA Record: 115-155 (.426)
Fred Hoiberg’s transition to the NBA didn’t go as planned. After a promising start with Iowa State, he took on the Chicago Bulls’ head coaching role in 2015. Despite a few playoff appearances, his tenure was cut short in 2018.
Hoiberg is now with Nebraska, where he recently led the Cornhuskers to their first NCAA Tournament since joining the program.
These five coaches have navigated the turbulent waters of NCAA to NBA coaching with varying degrees of success, each leaving an indelible mark on the sport.
Comments