Ranking NBA Head Coaches From 1-30 Ahead Of 2025-26 Season

The 2025-26 NBA season is nearly here, and while players often dominate the headlines, the league’s head coaches are arguably just as important in today’s game. With front offices investing more than ever in building the perfect team, the difference between contention and mediocrity often rests on the sideline.

With so much at stake in the upcoming campaign, ranking all 30 head coaches ahead of opening night offers a snapshot of how they might shape the NBA’s future. There are some living legends as coaches right now, some talented leaders with bright futures, and everyone in between so let’s rank all of them. 

1. Erik Spoelstra – Miami Heat

Right now, Erik Spoelstra remains the gold standard for coaching in the NBA, combining tactical brilliance with unmatched adaptability. His Heat culture is legendary, and he continues to maximize rosters regardless of star power or injury setbacks. 

With multiple Finals appearances across different eras of Miami basketball, Spoelstra has proven he can evolve with the league’s trends. His consistency, creativity, and credibility put him atop any ranking of head coaches entering 2025-26, and the Heat probably wouldn’t be relevant right now if not for his presence.

2. Rick Carlisle – Indiana Pacers

Rick Carlisle’s resurgence with the Pacers has been one of the most impressive coaching stories of the past few seasons. Known for his meticulous preparation and offensive creativity, he has molded Indiana into a legitimate Eastern Conference contender after making the Finals last season.

Carlisle has a reputation for maximizing guards, and with Tyrese Haliburton leading the way, his system has become one of the most dynamic in basketball. His championship pedigree and adaptability land him near the top.

3. Steve Kerr – Golden State Warriors

Steve Kerr’s legacy is already cemented with four championships and a reputation for fostering one of the most selfless, ball-movement oriented systems the league has seen. Though Golden State’s dynasty is transitioning into a new era as Stephen Curry and Draymond Green age, Kerr’s leadership, player management, and ability to balance egos keep him among the league’s elite. 

His impact on modern offensive principles remains one of the most influential of the last decade, and the only reason he doesn’t rank first is because of how he has handled the Jonathan Kuminga situation, and also for failing to overcome some difficult seasons. In terms of resume, Kerr is still the top guy, but he isn’t the runaway best coach in the league anymore.

4. Ime Udoka – Houston Rockets

No matter if he can be rough around the edges with his playing style, Ime Udoka has transformed the Rockets from a rebuilding project into a team with legitimate championship expectations. His demanding style and defensive principles brought instant accountability to a young roster, and his ability to accelerate development has been impressive. 

With Houston now loaded with both veterans (headlined by Kevin Durant) and promising young talent, Udoka’s leadership will be tested at the next level: competing for playoff success. In a vacuum, Udoka has the players to be a top-four seed all year, and we think he will achieve that. 

5. Tyronn Lue – Los Angeles Clippers

Lue is regarded as one of the best in-game adjusters in the league, known for making bold tactical decisions in high-pressure moments. His ability to shift lineups, exploit matchups, and innovate under playoff intensity sets him apart. 

Though the Clippers have battled injuries, Lue has consistently kept them competitive. His players trust him, and his championship resume with Cleveland cements his standing as a top-five coach. If Lue gets his guys (mainly Kawhi Leonard) healthy, the sky is the limit to what he can bring to the Clippers. 

6. Mark Daigneault – Oklahoma City Thunder

Reigning NBA champion Mark Daigneault’s rapid rise mirrors the Thunder’s own growth into the West’s most dominant team. Armed with excellent player development skills and offensive creativity, he has created a system that empowers Shai Gilgeous-Alexander while integrating a deep supporting cast. 

His ability to maximize youth and turn Oklahoma City into a champion so quickly has vaulted him into elite company, and the only thing holding him back is just experience. The five guys ahead of him have shown they can minimize questionable decisions while Daigneault is still somewhat learning on the fly. 

7. Kenny Atkinson – Cleveland Cavaliers

Atkinson’s long-awaited return to a head coaching role has been seamless, as he’s helped Cleveland establish a balanced identity on both ends after finishing with the first seed in the East last season. Starting as a developmental specialist from his Brooklyn days, guiding an already talented roster deeper into playoff contention should continue being an exciting task for him. 

His mix of player growth expertise and tactical adjustments make him a stabilizing force for a franchise looking to ascend in the East with the goal of one day progressing past the second round of the playoffs. 

8. Jason Kidd – Dallas Mavericks

Jason Kidd has been polarizing throughout his coaching career, but his success guiding Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving to consistent playoff runs and the NBA Finals in 2024 cannot be ignored. Yes, he will have to handle a difficult situation since Luka is no longer his guy, but we trust Kidd to handle it.

He’s leaned on defensive structure while allowing his stars to dictate the offense, a balance that’s delivered results. Kidd’s adaptability and ability to get buy-in from superstar talent keep him inside the top 10.

9. Joe Mazzulla – Boston Celtics

Joe Mazzulla faced enormous pressure taking over Boston’s powerhouse roster at a young age, but his poise and offensive vision have won respect league-wide. Known for emphasizing spacing, quick decision-making, and relentless three-point shooting, he’s carved out a distinct identity for the Celtics. 

With a Finals appearance already under his belt, Mazzulla’s trajectory suggests he’ll continue climbing, even though next season won’t be one to be remembered since Jayson Tatum will be recovering from an Achilles injury. But the players love him and so do the Celtics, so who are we to rank him outside of the top 10?

10. Chris Finch – Minnesota Timberwolves

Finch has been instrumental in stabilizing a Timberwolves franchise long plagued by inconsistency. His offensive creativity has helped maximize Anthony Edwards’ rise into superstardom, while also managing the unique Randle-Gobert pairing. 

Finch’s steady leadership has turned Minnesota into a dangerous playoff squad, and his ability to tailor schemes to his roster earns him a top-10 slot. Hopefully, he can continue being the voice behind a rising force in the West next season. 

11. J.B. Bickerstaff – Detroit Pistons

After steadying Cleveland during his last tenure, J.B. Bickerstaff now has a fresh challenge in Detroit, guiding one of the NBA’s youngest rosters. His defensive-first approach and strong player relationships have made him an ideal leader for a rebuild. 

If he can instill consistency and growth in superstar Cade Cunningham and company, he could accelerate Detroit’s return to relevance sooner rather than later. So far, Bickerstaff has been more than solid with the Pistons, and we expect more to come. 

12. Nick Nurse – Philadelphia 76ers

Nick Nurse remains one of the sharpest tactical coaches in the league, renowned for his creativity on both ends. From junk defenses to unique lineup combinations, he’s never afraid to experiment. 

Though his tenure in Philadelphia has had ups and downs due to the never-ending injury issues that Joel Embiid deals with, his championship experience and willingness to take risks keep him highly respected among peers. If Nurse gets his guys healthy, the 76ers could be a problem. However, that’s a major if.

13. Jamahl Mosley – Orlando Magic

Jamahl Mosley has quietly built one of the most disciplined young teams in the NBA. His emphasis on defense, accountability, and growth has elevated Paolo Banchero and Franz Wagner into cornerstones while establishing Orlando as a rising threat in the East. 

Mosley’s patience and development-focused leadership make him one of the league’s most promising coaches, but next season, wins have to come. Mosely has the talent to keep his guys motivated and consistent, so we can’t wait to see what the Magic do with a revamped roster. 

14. J.J. Redick – Los Angeles Lakers

J.J. Redick enters his second season as a head coach with both intrigue and scrutiny, given the enormous expectations that come with leading the Lakers. His deep understanding of modern offenses, sharp communication, and player relatability have drawn praise early on. 

While unproven relative to many others in the top 15, his basketball intellect and instant credibility with stars like LeBron James make him a fascinating wild card. We think Redick will bring some fresh ideas to the Lakers with Luka Doncic leading the way, so his ranking is reasonable. 

15. Quin Snyder – Atlanta Hawks

Quin Snyder, long respected for his tactical acumen in Utah, has been tasked with bringing consistency and discipline to a Hawks team with high expectations. His offensive system emphasizes pace, space, and playmaking, a good fit for Trae Young. 

If he can solidify Atlanta’s defensive identity, Snyder has the tools to push the Hawks higher. He has a chance to do that in 2025-26 with a roster that now includes Kristaps Porzingis and some continuity with stars Trae Young and Dyson Daniels. 

16. Will Hardy – Utah Jazz

Will Hardy has impressed as one of the youngest head coaches in the NBA, quickly earning praise for his poise and communication. Though Utah remains in a transitional phase, his ability to maximize role players and keep the Jazz competitive has not gone unnoticed. 

Hardy’s potential places him firmly in the middle tier with upside to rise, and with the right tools to succeed, could indeed do well one day. We won’t be able to see what Hardy can truly do next season due to below-average roster talent, unfortunately. 

17. Billy Donovan – Chicago Bulls

Billy Donovan brings steadiness and experience, but his Bulls have struggled to break through into true contention. With his adaptability and player-first style, he’s managed difficult rosters before. 

Still, the lack of clear progress in Chicago has tempered his reputation compared to his peak years in Oklahoma City. Donovan is on the hot seat, without question, but we think NBA-related experience matters in these rankings, and that is why he cracks the top-20.

18. Mike Brown – New York Knicks

Knicks fans might think this ranking is too low, but we don’t think so. Mike Brown’s defensive reputation remains strong, and he was hired to revitalize the Knicks with an emphasis on toughness and accountability while using more bench options than Tom Thibodeau. 

However, his offensive systems are often criticized as rigid, and the Knicks need consistency on that end if they are to come out of the Eastern Conference. If his offense evolves alongside New York’s talent, he could push higher in future rankings.

19. Doc Rivers – Milwaukee Bucks

Doc Rivers used to be a championship coach with decades of experience, but his recent playoff shortcomings keep him lower on this list. Known for building trust and managing stars, he brings some stability to Milwaukee’s unproven roster. 

However, his tactical inflexibility has often been exposed in the postseason, leaving him outside the top tier. It also won’t help that Rivers only has Giannis Antetokounmpo, Bobby Portis, and Myles Turner to truly rely on next season. 

20. Chauncey Billups – Portland Trail Blazers

Chauncey Billups has faced a difficult job overseeing a rebuilding Trail Blazers roster, but his emphasis on defense and leadership skills have been valuable in guiding young players. Though still unproven as a high-level playoff coach, his progress in player development has given Portland a foundation to build on.

Hopefully, Billups can form a solid relationship with the arriving Damian Lillard and also start improving youngsters such as Toumani Camara, Scoot Henderson, and Shaedon Sharpe. There isn’t too much expectation on the Trail Blazers next year, however, so perhaps Billups can buy himself some time.

21. Willie Green – New Orleans Pelicans

Willie Green originally won over his locker room with strong communication and leadership, but he failed to navigate injuries and lineup uncertainty with the Pelicans last season. His defensive focus should bring more stability to New Orleans, but questions remain about whether he can push them to the next level. 

Still, his relatability with players makes him an asset in a competitive Western Conference, and we think he is a very good coach who was dealing with a very unfortunate situation with injuries to nearly every key player. However, Green will also be on the hot seat if wins don’t come soon enough.

22. Mitch Johnson – San Antonio Spurs

Taking over for Gregg Popovich is no small task, but Mitch Johnson has been groomed for years within the Spurs system. His challenge now is guiding Victor Wembanyama’s development while maintaining San Antonio’s tradition of discipline and fundamentals. 

While inexperienced, he inherits one of the most exciting young cores in the league, and we think he will do a very good job. However, Johnson will be tasked with keeping the Spurs competitive as soon as possible, so he doesn’t have the easiest job in the NBA.

23. Jordi Fernandez – Brooklyn Nets

Jordi Fernandez arrived with a strong reputation as an assistant, bringing fresh energy and player development expertise to Brooklyn. Tasked with stabilizing a roster in transition, he’ll need to prove himself as both a tactician and motivator next season.

His international coaching background gives him a unique perspective that could pay off long-term, but things are always a little different in the NBA. To be fair to Fernandez, he doesn’t have the best tools to work with without a true franchise cornerstone, so keeping the Nets respectable will be the goal for him.

24. David Adelman – Denver Nuggets

As the longtime lead assistant under Michael Malone, David Adelman stepped into his first head coaching role with the benefit of continuity, and he did a decent job by guiding the Nuggets into the second round last season. He inherited a championship core, but the pressure will be enormous to sustain Denver’s standard. 

His offensive mind and familiarity with Nikola Jokic’s game make him a solid fit, though still unproven at this level. We aren’t fully sold on Adelman being a championship-level coach, but the Nuggets franchise thinks they made the right move, and all eyes will be on how well the team plays. 

25. Charles Lee – Charlotte Hornets

Charles Lee, long considered one of the league’s top assistants, finally got his chance in Charlotte. He has been praised for his defensive schemes and communication skills, and now he’ll be tasked with reshaping a Hornets franchise desperate for stability. 

His success will hinge on building around LaMelo Ball and Brandon Miller while instilling accountability. The key for Lee won’t be just improving upon his current talent, but finding a way to help management bring in more talented players across the board. 

26. Darko Rajakovic – Toronto Raptors

Darko Rajakovic showed promise in his early start in Toronto, emphasizing player growth and defensive structure. However, the Raptors’ rebuild and inconsistent roster have limited his ability to shine. 

His reputation as a developmental coach keeps him in place for now, but tangible progress is needed to climb the rankings. He has a chance to do so with the arrival of All-Star swingman Brandon Ingram, so let’s wait and see what happens. 

27. Doug Christie – Sacramento Kings

Doug Christie, a former player with strong ties to Sacramento, stepped into his first head coaching role with the challenge of proving himself quickly last season. While respected for his basketball IQ and leadership qualities, he still lacks experience compared to most of his peers. 

His ability to maintain momentum from the Kings’ recent resurgence will be closely watched, but he might be dealing with a difficult position if the star players, such as Domantas Sabonis or Zach LaVine, end up getting traded by means of blowing it up. 

28. Brian Keefe – Washington Wizards

Brian Keefe takes on one of the toughest jobs in the league, overseeing a Wizards team deep in rebuild mode. Known for his player development background, he’ll be tasked with fostering growth and building culture rather than immediate wins. 

His ranking reflects both the challenge of his roster and his limited resume as a head coach. However, Keefe will be judged on how quickly he can grow the likes of Bilal Coulibaly, Alex Sarr, Carlton Carrington, and Cam Whitmore rather than stealing wins. 

29. Tuomas Iisalo – Memphis Grizzlies

Tuomas Iisalo enters the NBA from Europe, where he built a reputation for innovative offensive systems and development. His hiring is a bold move by Memphis, signaling a willingness to think outside the box. 

Still, with no NBA head coaching experience, he faces a steep learning curve as he adjusts to the league. We also find it hard to imagine Iisalo doing a better job with the Grizzlies than Taylor Jenkins did, so he isn’t in the best situation either. 

30. Jordan Ott – Phoenix Suns

Jordan Ott is taking over a Suns team in flux, but his lack of head coaching experience puts him at the bottom of this list for now. While respected for his work as an assistant, he has yet to prove he can manage rotations, egos, and high-stakes playoff moments. 

If he succeeds, his ranking will rise quickly, but until then, he remains the least established coach entering 2025-26. In terms of the hardest jobs in the NBA, Ott has one of them as well, so we will cut him some slack once the season starts.