10 NBA Coach Firings That Turned Out Well for the Franchise
- - 10 NBA Coach Firings That Turned Out Well for the Franchise
Owen ChaseJanuary 10, 2026 at 1:07 AM
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NBA coaches rarely get the benefit of patience. Even winning seasons and deep playoff runs can turn into short-lived successes if the timing feels off or the stars stop aligning. A firing usually looks messy in the moment, but history shows that some of these moves pushed franchises toward championships. These coaching exits initially sparked backlash, but later led to banners.
David Blatt
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The Cavaliers went 83–40 under David Blatt, but leadership concerns were brewing behind the scenes. LeBron James never fully connected with him, and the locker room felt tense despite strong results. Midway through the 2015–16 season, the front office made the call. Tyronn Lue simplified the offense and leaned into player comfort. Cleveland won the 2016 NBA championship after erasing a 3–1 deficit against the 73–9 Golden State Warriors.
Paul Westhead
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Paul Westhead’s résumé already had a championship when things unraveled in Los Angeles. The friction came from a growing disconnect with Magic Johnson during the 1981–82 season. Management sided with Magic Johnson and promoted Pat Riley to head coach. The decision sparked the Showtime era, which delivered four more championships and redefined fast-paced basketball.
Mark Jackson
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Golden State looked nothing like a dynasty when Mark Jackson arrived. He turned a struggling roster into a playoff team built on defense and confidence. Internal disagreements and personality clashes pushed the Warriors to move on anyway. The hiring of Steve Kerr changed everything. The team won four championships and reached six Finals, all while keeping the same core players Jackson helped develop.
Dwane Casey
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Regular-season success never translated into playoff breakthroughs in Toronto. Dwane Casey guided the Raptors to a 59–23 record in 2018 and earned Coach of the Year honors. Another sweep by Cleveland ended his run. Promoting Nick Nurse brought creativity and adaptability. One year later, the Raptors captured their first NBA championship.
Ime Udoka
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Boston reached the 2022 NBA Finals under Ime Udoka, which made his exit all the more jarring. Off-court violations necessitated swift action by the organization. Rookie head coach Joe Mazzulla kept the group steady and emphasized offensive freedom. The Celtics stayed near the top of the East and won their 18th championship in 2024.
Jason Kidd
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Development came early during Jason Kidd’s run in Milwaukee, especially for Giannis Antetokounmpo. Tactical issues and stalled playoff results became harder to ignore. The Bucks turned to Mike Budenholzer, whose structured approach was a good fit for the roster. The change paid off with the 2021 NBA championship.
Avery Johnson
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Few coaches produced regular-season wins as Avery Johnson did in Dallas. A 67–15 season in 2007 raised expectations that collapsed quickly in the playoffs. Consecutive early exits sealed his fate. Rick Carlisle replaced him and built a matchup-driven system. The 2011 title run remains one of the toughest paths to a championship in league history.
Rick Carlisle
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Detroit’s decision to fire Rick Carlisle surprised nearly everyone. He had delivered back-to-back 50-win seasons and won the Coach of the Year award. The Pistons wanted a veteran voice and hired Larry Brown. That move led to a 2004 championship built on defense and cohesion against a Lakers superteam.
Bob Hill
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Injuries derailed San Antonio early in the 1996–97 season, leading to a 3–15 start. General manager Gregg Popovich fired Bob Hill and stepped in himself. The gamble reshaped the franchise and led to five championships over multiple decades.
Doug Collins
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Chicago made steady progress under Doug Collins, but postseason ceilings remained low. Phil Jackson replaced him and installed the triangle offense. The Bulls went on to win six championships and complete two three-peats, a run no other coach has matched.
Source: “AOL Sports”
