A list of all Lakers head coaches: Who is the most successful Purple and Gold Coach?

The Los Angeles Lakers, one of the most successful franchises in the NBA, has had a rich history of head coaches. From Hall of Famers to promising rookies, the team have had a diverse range of managers who have each contributed to the team's success. This article will explore the history of the Laker's head coaches, in order, by year and by the most successful Purple and Gold coach.

The Lakers head coach’s history dates back to the team's founding in 1947 in Minneapolis, where John Kundla became the first head coach. He led the team to five championships in six seasons, establishing the team's early dominance in the NBA. In 1959, Kundla stepped down, and the Lakers hired George Mikan as the head coach, but he lasted only one season.

The club hired Fred Schaus, who coached the team for seven seasons and led them to the NBA Finals three times. Here is a detailed list of the top 10 Lakers head coaches in order of success, along with more information about each.

10. Butch van Breda Kolff (1967-1969)

Butch van Breda Kolff was a former NBA player who became a head coach for several teams, including the Los Angeles Lakers, from 1967 to 1969. He took over the club in their first season in LA after the couple had moved from Minneapolis. During his two seasons with the club, van Breda Kolff compiled a record of 101-85 in the regular season and 12-13 in the playoffs.

He was known for his attention to detail and emphasis on team play rather than relying solely on individual stars. After leaving the club, van Breda Kolff coached several other NBA and college teams like the Princeton Tigers and the Lafayette Leopards. He passed away in 2007 at the age of 84.

9. Fred Schaus (1960-1967)

Fred Schaus was a former NBA player who served as the head coach of the Los Angeles Lakers from 1960 to 1967. He took over a struggling team and quickly turned them into contenders. During his tenure, the club made it to the NBA Finals four times and won one championship in 1972. In the regular season, Schaus compiled a record of 372-210; in; the spinoffs, he went 34-26.

Schaus was known for his innovative coaching style, emphasising an up-tempo, fast-breaking offence. He also helped develop a star centre, Wilt Chamberlain, into one of the most dominant players in the history of the NBA. Under Schaus' guidance, Chamberlain won three MVP awards and set numerous records, including the all-time single-game scoring record of 100 points.

8. Paul Westhead (1979-1981)

Paul Westhead was a former college coach who served as the head coach of the Los Angeles Lakers from 1979 to 1981. He took over the team led by the legendary Kareem Abdul-Jabbar and quickly turned them into one of the most exciting and high-scoring teams in the history of the NBA. During his tenure, the team won two championships in 1980 and 1982, and Westhead compiled a regular-season record of 105-69 and a playoff record of 16-6.

Westhead was known for his fast-paced, high-scoring offence, which he called the "Showtime" offence. This style of play relied on fast breaks, quick passing, and high-percentage shots, and the dynamic duo of Magic Johnson and Abdul-Jabbar led it. The team set numerous records under Westhead, including the highest scoring average in a season.

7. Jack McKinney (1979)

Jack McKinney was a former college coach who briefly served as one of the LA Laker's head coaches in 1979. The club hired him after a successful career as the Saint Joseph's Hawks manager, where he had led the team to an undefeated regular season in 1979.

Unfortunately, McKinney's tenure with the Lakers was cut short after only 14 games when he suffered a serious bicycle accident that left him with a severe head injury. He was replaced by his assistant manager, Paul Westhead, who led the club to a championship that season.

After leaving the Lakers, McKinney coached several other NBA and college teams and the Australian men's national basketball team. He passed away in 2018 at the age of 83.

5. Frank Vogel (2019-present)

Frank Vogel is the current head coach of the Los Angeles Lakers, having been hired in 2019. He replaced Luke Walton, fired after the club missed the playoffs in the previous season. Vogel had previously served as the head coach of the Indiana Pacers and the Orlando Magic, where he had led both teams to the playoffs.

In his first season with the Lakers, Vogel faced several challenges, including injuries to key players like LeBron James and Anthony Davis and the disruption caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. His success with the club has cemented his place as one of the top coaches in the NBA today.

4. Bill Sharman (1971-1976)

Bill Sharman was a former professional basketball player who served as one of the Los Angeles Lakers head coaches from 1971 to 1976. Sharman was a Hall of Fame player, winning four NBA championships with the Boston Celtics in the 1950s and 1960s. As a manager, he continued his success, leading the Lakers to their first championship in Los Angeles in 1972.

Under Sharman's leadership, the Lakers became one of the top teams in the NBA, winning two championships and compiling a regular-season record of 246-164. Sharman passed away in 2013 at 87, leaving a legacy as one of the most successful coaches in Laker's history.

3. John Kundla (1949-1959)

John Kundla was the first manager of the Minneapolis Lakers, who later became the Los Angeles Lakers. From 1949 to 1959, he led the team to five championships.

Under Kundla's leadership, the Lakers became one of the most successful teams in NBA history, winning championships in 1950, 1952, 1953, 1954, and 1959. Kundla's teams were known for their high-scoring offence and relentless defensive pressure, making them one of the toughest teams to beat in the league. Kundla passed away in 2017 at 101, leaving a legacy as one of the greatest coaches in Laker's history.

2. Pat Riley (1981-1990)

Pat Riley is one of the most successful coaches in NBA history, having won five championships during his coaching career. He was the manager of the Los Angeles Lakers from 1981 to 1990 and led the team to four titles during his tenure.

Under Riley's leadership, the team became one of the most dominant teams in NBA history, winning championships in 1982, 1985, 1987, and 1988. Riley's teams were known for their star power, with players like Magic Johnson, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, and James Worthy leading the way. But they were also known for their team-first mentality, with Riley emphasising the importance of each player sacrificing for the team's good.

After leaving the club in 1990, Riley managed the New York Knicks and later the Miami Heat, where he won another championship in 2006. He is regarded as one of the greatest coaches in NBA history and was inducted into the Basketball Hall of Fame in 2008.

1. Phil Jackson (1999-2004, 2005-2011)

Phil Jackson is one of the most successful coaches in NBA history, having won 11 championships as a head coach. He was the manager of the Los Angeles Lakers from 1999 to 2004 and again from 2005 to 2011, leading the team to five championships.

Jackson was known for his unique training style, emphasising mindfulness, spirituality, and a team-first mentality. He was also a master at managing egos, particularly with superstar players like Kobe Bryant and Shaquille O'Neal, who led the club to three consecutive championships from 2000 to 2002. Under Jackson's leadership, the team became one of the most dominant teams in NBA history, winning titles in 2000, 2001, 2002, 2009, and 2010.

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The most successful Purple and Gold coach is undoubtedly Phil Jackson, who won five championships with the Lakers in two different stints as manager. He is the best among the all-time Lakers head coaches. He also won six titles with the Chicago Bulls and is considered one of the greatest Lakers head coaches in the history of the NBA.

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