Who is Mike Brown, the Sacramento Kings head coach and the NBA coach of the Year?

Who is Mike Brown, the Sacramento Kings head coach and the NBA coach of the Year?

Helix Odhiambo
updated at May 2, 2023 at 3:25 AM

Mike Brown is one of the most experienced coaches in the National Basketball Association. He is the head coach for the Sacramento Kings, having previously managed the Cleveland Cavaliers and the Los Angeles Lakers. Brown has accomplished much as a coach and inspired many players.

Mike Brown's age
Mike Brown, the Head Coach of the Sacramento Kings, poses for a photo after a press conference on 21 June 2022 at the Golden 1 Center in Sacramento, California. Photo: Rocky Widne
Source: Getty Images

The former Warriors assistant was born on 5 March 1970 in Columbus, Ohio, United States. He is 53 years old (as of April 2023). However, Mike Brown's age does not rank him among the youngest and oldest coaches in the NBA in 2023. Gregg Popovich (73) of the San Antonio Spurs is the oldest, while the youngest is Will Hardy (34) of the Utah Jazz.

Mike Brown profile summary

Name

Michael Burton Brown

Date of birth

5 March 1970

Age

53 (as of May 2023)

Place of birth

Columbus, Ohio, United States

Nationality

American

Height

1.91 m (6'3")

Weight

91 kg (200 lb)

Education

Würzburg American, Mesa CC, San Diego

Parents

Lesley McSpadden, Michael Brown, Sr.

Spouse

Carolyn

Kids

Elijah, Cameron

Profession

Basketball coach

Current team

Sacramento Kings (2022-date)

Salary

$5 Million

Net worth

$12 million

Biography

The Kings tactician was born and raised in Columbus, Ohio. His passion for sports began during his childhood. Mike played college basketball at Mesa Community College and later at the University of San Diego. He graduated with a degree in business administration from the university.

Mike Brown's family

Mike Brown's wife
The Kings’ coach poses with his wife, Carolyn (L), on the right with one of his two sons, Cameron (R). Photo: @mvalle888, Allen Einstein (modified by author)
Source: UGC

The NBA manager is married to Carolyn Brown. She is a former student at the University of Colorado. According to sources, the couple met at a bar, where they knew one another and started dating. However, Mike Brown's wife has kept her life private, revealing fewer details about her career and background. Carolyn and her husband have two kids, Elijah and Cameron Brown.

Did Mike Brown play in the NBA?

Despite playing basketball in college, Mike did not play in the NBA. After graduation, he joined the NBA as a video intern with the Denver Nuggets. He later became a video coordinator and scout of the team.

Mike Brown's coaching history

Mike Brown's coaching history
The Cavs head coach Mike Brown calls a play in the Eastern Conference Semifinals against the New Jersey Nets during the 2007 NBA Playoffs at Quicken Loans Arena on 8 May 2007 in Cleveland, Ohio. Photo: Gregory Shamus
Source: Getty Images

The Columbus-born tactician spent five years working in Colorado before becoming an assistant coach of the San Antonio Spurs, where he worked under Gregg Popovich. He was also part of the 2003 NBA Championship coaching staff. Brown then assisted with the Indiana Pacers before landing his first head-coaching job with the Cleveland Cavaliers in 2005.

Mike spent six seasons with the Cavs and transformed them into one of the best teams in the National Basketball Association. He won the 2009 NBA Coach of the Year award for his achievements with the team. However, he got sacked in 2010 and began working with ESPN as an analyst. Brown later managed middle school basketball before returning to the NBA.

Mike Brown's assistant coach
Golden State Warriors head coach Steve Kerr (L) and associate head coach M. Brown (R) in the first half of an NBA game against the Indiana Pacers at Chase Center on 24 January 2020, in San Francisco, Calif. Photo: Santiago Mejia
Source: Getty Images

In 2011, he joined the Los Angeles Lakers as head coach until 2012. He returned to the Cavaliers in 2013 but stayed for a season. Mike later moved to the Golden State Warriors, where he served as an assistant coach from 2016-2022. He joined the Sacramento Kings in June 2022 as head tactician. Mike Brown's assistant coach is Canadian Howard James Triano.

Did Mike Brown coach LeBron?

Did Mike Brown coach LeBron?
LeBron James (23) of the Cleveland Cavaliers talks with head coach Mike Brown during the game against the New Jersey Nets on 12 March 2008 at the Izod Center in East Rutherford, New Jersey. Photo: Jesse D. Garrabrant
Source: Getty Images

The Kings' manager coached LeBron James from 2005 to 2010 with the Cavaliers. He guided James and his teammates to the 2007 NBA Finals and strengthened their defence.

"When he came to Cleveland, we became one of the best defensive teams in the league every single year. That gave us a chance to win every single night. Offensively, some nights we weren't that good, but we were always in games because we defended." James praised the Kings' coach.

Why did the Cavs fire Mike Brown?

According to sources, the Cavs fired Mike because of his broken relationship with their star man, LeBron James. The two reportedly were not in terms, forcing the team to release the manager to keep LeBron. Instead, they hired Byron Scott to persuade LeBron James to stay.

Mike Brown's coaching record

The Kings' manager has won numerous awards and set excellent records in the NBA. His numbers speak for themselves. Here is a breakdown of his NBA stats as head coach.

Team

Seasons

Games

Wins

Losses

Cleveland Cavaliers

6

495

305

187

LA Lakers

2

71

42

29

 Sacramento Kings

1

82

48

34

TOTAL

9

645

395

250

How many NBA championships does Mike Brown have?

Mike won three NBA Championships in four NBA Finals appearances (2017, 2018, 2022). He reached the 2007 final with the Cavaliers but lost to San Antonio Spurs. Mike Brown's championships came while serving as an assistant for Golden State Warriors under Steve Kerr.

Mike Brown coach of the year

Mike Brown's championships
Head coach M. Brown (C) of the Cleveland Cavaliers holds his trophy for NBA Coach of the Year alongside team owner Dan Gilbert (L) and NBA President of League and Basketball Operations Joel Litvin on 21 April 2009 in Cleveland, Ohio. Photo: David Liam Kyle
Source: Getty Images

Besides the three Mike Brown rings, the experienced tactician has bagged numerous awards and accolades, including two NBA Coach of the Year titles. In April 2023, he made history by receiving all 100 first-place votes from journalists and broadcasters to win the 2022-23 NBA Coach of the Year.

Mike earned the votes after leading the Kings to their first playoff appearance since 2006 and a 2-0 series lead over the defending champion Golden State Warriors. He is the first NBA coach to win the award unanimously. Here is a list of his career awards.

NBA Coach of the Year

  • 2008-09 (Cleveland Cavaliers)
  • 2022-23 (Sacramento Kings)

NBA Coach of the Month

  • 2007-08: Eastern Conference (January)
  • 2008-09: Eastern Conference (December)
  • 2008-09: Eastern Conference (February)
  • 2008-09: Eastern Conference (March)
  • 2009-10: Eastern Conference (December)
  • 2022-23: Western Conference (February)

NBCA Coach of the Year

  • 2022-23: (April)

Mike Brown's salary

Mike Brown as a player, may not have achieved much in college, but he has proved to be one of the best coaches in the NBA. He earns a $5 Million salary at Sacramento Kings.

Mike Brown's net worth

The Kings' tactician, who penned a four-year deal with the team, has a net worth of $12 million. Mike has earned his fortunes from his coaching career.

Mike Brown also served as head coach of the Nigerian National Team in 2020. His experience has improved the teams he has served as coach and assistant. He is among the top NBA coaches who failed to play professional basketball.

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Authors
Helix Odhiambo photo
Helix Odhiambo
Helix Odhiambo is an award-winning Kenyan journalist and content creator with over 6 years of experience. In 2016, he won the Goal Blaze Correspondent Award for young writers.