Pro hoops is a game for the young and athletically elite—at least when it comes to playing the sport. But age doesn’t keep you out of the game altogether. Experience and wiliness can get you a long way as an NBA coach. Some pro coaches are well into their seventh decades. Success is the main factor in the longevity of an NBA coach’s career.
5 Dwane Casey
4 Maurice Cheeks
In 2013, Maurice Cheeks took over the Detroit Pistons. Cheeks previously coached the Philadelphia 76ers and the Portland TrailBlazers. His professional coaching record includes more than 280 wins. He parted with the Philadelphia 76ers in the 2008-9 season and became an assistant coach for the Oklahoma City Thunder for four years. Cheeks was 56 years of age when he joined the Pistons.
3 Mike D’Antoni
Next oldest head coach is Mike D’Antoni who replaced Phil Jackson as coach for the Los Angeles Lakers, and was still coaching well into his 60s. Before joining the Lakers, D’Antoni coached the New York Knicks, the Phoenix Suns and the Denver Nuggets. D’Antoni won more than half of the over 800 games he’s coached. He was awarded Coach of the Year in the 2004-5 season.
2 Gregg Popovich
Long-time coach of the San Antonio Spurs, Gregg Popovich is the second oldest among NBA coaches. He’s led his teams to four NBA championships. Still coaching at 64, Popovich has more than 900 career wins and was twice named NBA Coach of the Year.
1 Rick Adelman
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