List of Detroit Pistons head coaches

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The Detroit Pistons are an American professional basketball team based in Detroit, Michigan. The Pistons, currently owned by Tom Gores, are in the Central Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Basketball Association (NBA), playing their home games at Little Caesars Arena. [1] [2]

Contents

The franchise was founded in 1937 by Fred Zollner as the Fort Wayne Zollner Pistons, a semi-professional company basketball team based in Fort Wayne, Indiana. [3] They would turn professional in 1941 when they joined the National Basketball League (NBL). [4] In 1948, the team was renamed the Fort Wayne Pistons and joined the Basketball Association of America (BAA), merging with the NBL to form the NBA one year later. [4] After nine seasons in Fort Wayne, Zollner moved the team to Detroit in 1957 to compete financially with other big city teams. [5] In the 1980s, general manager Jack McCloskey drafted Isiah Thomas, acquired Joe Dumars and Dennis Rodman, and hired head coach Chuck Daly. [5] The 1980s team, known as "the Bad Boys" due to their physical playing style, won both the 1989 and 1990 NBA Finals under Daly. [5] The Pistons won their third and most recent title in the 2004 NBA Finals under Larry Brown. [5]

Since joining the NBA, the Pistons have had 37 head coaches. Carl Bennett was the franchise's first head coach, leading the team for six games, all of which were losses. [6] Daly is the franchise's all-time leader in regular-season games coached (738), regular-season games won (467), playoff games coached (113), and playoff games won (71). [7] Flip Saunders is the franchise's all-time leader in regular season win percentage (.715). [8] Daly and Brown are the only members of the franchise to be inducted to the Basketball Hall of Fame as coaches, [7] [9] with Daly also being selected as one of the top 10 coaches in NBA history. [10] Ray Scott and Rick Carlisle won the NBA Coach of the Year Award for the 1973–74 and 2001–02 season, respectively. [11] Dick Vitale was named to the Basketball Hall of Fame to recognize the work he did as a broadcaster after leaving the franchise. [12] Sixteen head coaches have spent their entire NBA coaching careers with the Pistons. Notable players and coaches who spent time with the Pistons include Curly Armstrong, [13] Red Rocha, [14] Dick McGuire, [15] Dave DeBusschere, [16] Donnis Butcher, [17] Terry Dischinger, [18] Earl Lloyd, [19] Ray Scott, [20] and Michael Curry. [21]

The current head coach of the Pistons is J. B. Bickerstaff. [22]

Key

GCGames coached
WWins
LLosses
Win% Winning percentage
#Number of coaches [a]
*Spent entire NBA head coaching career with the Pistons
Elected into the Basketball Hall of Fame as a coach

Coaches

Note: Statistics are correct through the end of the 2024–25 season. The list does not include NBL seasons.

#NameTerm [b] GCWLWin%GCWLWin%AchievementsReference
Regular seasonPlayoffs
Fort Wayne Pistons
Carl Bennett * 1948 606.000 [6]
Curly Armstrong * 1948–1949 (as player-coach)542232.407 [23]
Murray Mendenhall * 19491951 1367264.529734.429 [24]
Paul Birch 19511954 207105102.50714410.286 [25]
Charley Eckman * 19541957 216114102.528241014.417 [26]
Detroit Pistons
Charley Eckman * 1957 25916.360000 [26]
Red Rocha * 19571960 1536588.4251046.400 [27]
Dick McGuire 1959–1960 (as player-coach)
19601963
280122158.43621813.381 [28]
Charles Wolf 19631964 912566.433 [29]
Dave DeBusschere * 19641967 (as player-coach)22279143.356 [30]
Donnis Butcher * 19671968 1125260.464624.333 [31]
Paul Seymour 1968–1969 602238.367 [32]
Butch van Breda Kolff 19691971 1748292.471 [33]
Terry Dischinger * 1971 (as player-coach)202.000 [34]
Earl Lloyd * 19711972 772255.286 [35]
Ray Scott * 19721976 281147134.5231046.400 1973–74 NBA Coach of the Year [11] [36]
Herb Brown * 19761977 1467274.4931257.417 [37]
Bob Kauffman * 1977–1978 582929.500 [38]
Dick Vitale * 19781979 943460.362 [39]
Richie Adubato 1979–1980 701258.171 [40]
Scotty Robertson 19801983 24697149.394 [41]
Chuck Daly 19831992 738467271.6331137142.6282 NBA championships (1989, 1990)
One of the top 10 coaches in NBA history [10]
[7]
Ron Rothstein 1992–1993 824042.488 [42]
Don Chaney 19931995 16448116.293 [43]
Doug Collins 19951998 20912188.579826.250 [44]
Alvin Gentry 19982000 1457372.503523.400 [45]
George Irvine 20002001 1064660.434303.000 [46]
Rick Carlisle 20012003 16410064.610271215.444 2001–02 NBA Coach of the Year [11] [47]
Larry Brown 20032005 16410856.659483117.646 NBA championship (2004) [9]
Flip Saunders 20052008 24617670.715513021.588 [8]
Michael Curry * 2008–2009 823943.476404.000 [48]
John Kuester * 20092011 16457107.348 [49]
Lawrence Frank 20112013 1485494.365 [50]
Maurice Cheeks 2013–2014 502129.420 [51]
John Loyer * 2014 32824.250 [52]
Stan Van Gundy 20142018 328152176.463404.000 [53]
Dwane Casey 20182023 384121263.315404.000 [54]
Monty Williams 2023–2024 821468.171 [55]
J. B. Bickerstaff 2024–present824438.537624.333 [56]

Notes

References

General
Specific
  1. "2008–09 Detroit Pistons Media Guide: Leadership" (PDF). NBA.com. Turner Sports Interactive, Inc. Archived from the original (PDF) on December 27, 2008. Retrieved December 4, 2008.
  2. "Pistons History: The Palace of Auburn Hills". NBA.com. Turner Sports Interactive, Inc. Archived from the original on January 16, 2012. Retrieved December 4, 2008.
  3. Cope, Myron (December 18, 1967). "THE BIG Z AND HIS MISFIRING PISTONS". SI.com. Archived from the original on September 7, 2021. Retrieved September 7, 2021.
  4. 1 2 "Pistons: Team History". NBA.com. Turner Sports Interactive, Inc. Archived from the original on February 11, 2009. Retrieved December 4, 2008.
  5. 1 2 3 4 "Pistons: History". NBA.com. Turner Sports Interactive, Inc. Archived from the original on June 23, 2007. Retrieved December 4, 2008.
  6. 1 2 "Carl Bennett Coaching Record". basketball-reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. Archived from the original on January 17, 2013. Retrieved December 4, 2008.
  7. 1 2 3 "Chuck Daly Coaching Record". basketball-reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. Archived from the original on January 17, 2013. Retrieved December 4, 2008.
  8. 1 2 "Flip Saunders Coaching Record". basketball-reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. Archived from the original on January 17, 2013. Retrieved December 4, 2008.
  9. 1 2 "Larry Brown Coaching Record". basketball-reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. Archived from the original on April 12, 2010. Retrieved December 4, 2008.
  10. 1 2 "Top 10 Coaches in NBA History". NBA.com. Turner Sports Interactive, Inc. Archived from the original on January 19, 2010. Retrieved December 4, 2008.
  11. 1 2 3 "Coach of the Year". NBA.com. Turner Sports Interactive, Inc. Archived from the original on September 15, 2010. Retrieved December 4, 2008.
  12. "Dick Vitale". Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame. Archived from the original on October 25, 2008. Retrieved December 6, 2008.
  13. "Curly Armstrong Playing Record". basketball-reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. Archived from the original on March 12, 2013. Retrieved December 4, 2008.
  14. "Red Rocha Playing Record". basketball-reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. Archived from the original on January 22, 2013. Retrieved December 4, 2008.
  15. "Dick McGuire Playing Record". basketball-reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. Archived from the original on January 15, 2013. Retrieved December 4, 2008.
  16. "Dave DeBusschere Playing Record". basketball-reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. Archived from the original on January 17, 2013. Retrieved December 4, 2008.
  17. "Donnie Butcher Playing Record". basketball-reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. Archived from the original on January 25, 2013. Retrieved December 4, 2008.
  18. "Terry Dischinger Playing Record". basketball-reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. Archived from the original on January 17, 2013. Retrieved December 4, 2008.
  19. "Earl Lloyd Playing Record". basketball-reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. Archived from the original on February 17, 2013. Retrieved December 4, 2008.
  20. "Ray Scott Playing Record". basketball-reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. Archived from the original on January 17, 2013. Retrieved December 4, 2008.
  21. "Michael Curry Playing Record". basketball-reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. Archived from the original on January 17, 2013. Retrieved December 4, 2008.
  22. "DETROIT PISTONS ANNOUNCE J.B. BICKERSTAFF AS HEAD COACH". NBA.com. July 3, 2024. Archived from the original on July 3, 2024. Retrieved July 19, 2024.
  23. "Curly Armstrong Coaching Record". basketball-reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. Archived from the original on January 17, 2013. Retrieved December 4, 2008.
  24. "Murray Mendenhall Coaching Record". basketball-reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. Archived from the original on January 17, 2013. Retrieved December 4, 2008.
  25. "Paul Birch Coaching Record". basketball-reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. Archived from the original on May 28, 2017. Retrieved December 4, 2008.
  26. 1 2 "Charles Eckman Coaching Record". basketball-reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. Archived from the original on January 23, 2013. Retrieved December 4, 2008.
  27. "Red Rocha Coaching Record". basketball-reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. Archived from the original on January 17, 2013. Retrieved December 4, 2008.
  28. "Dick McGuire Coaching Record". basketball-reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. Archived from the original on January 17, 2013. Retrieved December 4, 2008.
  29. "Charles Wolf Coaching Record". basketball-reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. Archived from the original on January 17, 2013. Retrieved December 4, 2008.
  30. "Dave DeBusschere Coaching Record". basketball-reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. Archived from the original on January 17, 2013. Retrieved December 4, 2008.
  31. "Donnie Butcher Coaching Record". basketball-reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. Archived from the original on January 17, 2013. Retrieved December 4, 2008.
  32. "Paul Seymour Coaching Record". basketball-reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. Archived from the original on January 23, 2013. Retrieved December 4, 2008.
  33. "Bill Van Breda Kolff Coaching Record". basketball-reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. Archived from the original on January 17, 2013. Retrieved December 4, 2008.
  34. "Terry Dischinger Coaching Record". basketball-reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. Archived from the original on January 17, 2013. Retrieved December 4, 2008.
  35. "Earl Lloyd Coaching Record". basketball-reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. Archived from the original on January 17, 2013. Retrieved December 4, 2008.
  36. "Ray Scott Coaching Record". basketball-reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. Archived from the original on April 17, 2010. Retrieved December 4, 2008.
  37. "Herb Brown Coaching Record". basketball-reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. Archived from the original on January 17, 2013. Retrieved December 4, 2008.
  38. "Bob Kauffman Coaching Record". basketball-reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. Archived from the original on January 17, 2013. Retrieved December 4, 2008.
  39. "Dick Vitale Coaching Record". basketball-reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. Archived from the original on January 17, 2013. Retrieved December 4, 2008.
  40. "Richie Adubato Coaching Record". basketball-reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. Archived from the original on May 27, 2017. Retrieved December 4, 2008.
  41. "Scotty Robertson Coaching Record". basketball-reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. Archived from the original on January 17, 2013. Retrieved December 4, 2008.
  42. "Ron Rothstein Coaching Record". basketball-reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. Archived from the original on January 17, 2013. Retrieved December 4, 2008.
  43. "Don Chaney Coaching Record". basketball-reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. Archived from the original on January 17, 2013. Retrieved December 4, 2008.
  44. "Doug Collin Coaching Record". basketball-reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. Archived from the original on September 6, 2010. Retrieved December 4, 2008.
  45. "Alvin Gentry Coaching Record". basketball-reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. Archived from the original on January 21, 2013. Retrieved December 4, 2008.
  46. "George Irvine Coaching Record". basketball-reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. Archived from the original on January 17, 2013. Retrieved December 4, 2008.
  47. "Rick Carlisle Coaching Record". basketball-reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. Archived from the original on July 4, 2011. Retrieved December 4, 2008.
  48. "Michael Curry Coaching Record". basketball-reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. Archived from the original on January 17, 2013. Retrieved December 4, 2008.
  49. "John Kuester Coaching Record". basketball-reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. Archived from the original on August 23, 2010. Retrieved August 13, 2009.
  50. "Lawrence Frank Coaching Record". basketball-reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. Archived from the original on January 17, 2013. Retrieved December 18, 2012.
  51. "Maurice Cheeks Coaching Record". basketball-reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. Archived from the original on September 1, 2010. Retrieved June 10, 2013.
  52. "John Loyer Coaching Record". basketball-reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. Archived from the original on April 19, 2014. Retrieved April 17, 2014.
  53. "Stan Van Gundy Coaching Record". basketball-reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. Archived from the original on April 23, 2015. Retrieved May 7, 2018.
  54. "Dwane Casey Coaching Record". basketball-reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. Archived from the original on August 15, 2011. Retrieved June 11, 2018.
  55. "Monty Williams Coaching Record". basketball-reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. Archived from the original on January 27, 2022. Retrieved June 2, 2023.
  56. "DETROIT PISTONS ANNOUNCE J.B. BICKERSTAFF AS HEAD COACH". NBA.com. July 3, 2024. Retrieved July 3, 2024.