NBA Sets a Record for the Number of Minority Coaches

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Doc Rivers was a little surprised by the number, though not by the trend.

 

Fourteen NBA head coaches are black, tying the 30-team league’s own record for the most ever in a sport.

 

“I didn’t even know that it’s half, which is probably a better sign,’’ the Boston coach said recently. “I don’t think it’s a big deal any more, especially in our league and I think we probably set the tone in all leagues in that way.’’

 

He’s right.

The NBA already held the record for most black coaches when it had 14 in 2002. It briefly surpassed that total this season for about 24 hours in March after Mike Woodson was promoted in New York and before Nate McMillan was fired in Portland. McMillian was replaced by Kaleb Canales — who became the first Mexican-American coach.

 

“I’m glad that it has escalated to the point that it’s at where so many have opportunities, but the NBA with David Stern have been unbelievable as far as minorities getting an opportunity to coach and go into front offices,’’ Cleveland coach Byron Scott said. “I think the NBA is so much farther ahead than any other major sport.’’

 

Besides Rivers, Scott and Woodson, the NBA’s other black coaches are Mike Brown (Los Angeles Lakers), Avery Johnson (New Jersey), Dwane Casey (Toronto), Paul Silas (Charlotte), Lionel Hollins (Memphis), Tyrone Corbin (Utah), Larry Drew (Atlanta), Alvin Gentry (Phoenix), Monty Williams (New Orleans), Mark Jackson (Golden State) and Keith Smart (Sacramento). A half-dozen will be coaching in the playoffs starting this weekend.

 

Woodson carries an interim title in New York after taking over for Mike D’Antoni on March 14, and Silas is finishing one of the worst seasons in NBA history, so the number could decrease next season. But Hollins thinks blacks will continue to be among the top candidates for whatever jobs come open.

 

“There’s 30 teams, so there are more jobs out there,’’ Hollins said. “As we move forward, more general managers are getting to know African-American assistant coaches and former players that have come into coaching. It shows that we are coaches and not former players. We’ve transferred from the one side to the other. I never want to be viewed a former player anymore. I’m a coach. I’ve been a coach for a long time.

 

“They are starting to understand that (minority coaches) can organize and prepare and motivate and teach just as well as anybody else. I think our whole society is learning that.’’

 

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