The Golden State Warriors won the first-ever Basketball Association of America (BAA) championship as the Philadelphia Warriors in 1947. They relocated to San Francisco in 1962 and rebranded to the San Francisco Warriors. The franchise got its current name in 1971.
The GS Warriors are among the most successful teams in NBA history and have had some legendary coaches on the sidelines. Here’s a chronological list of every Warriors head coach throughout NBA history.
The Philadelphia Warriors Years
- Edward Gottlieb (1946–1955): Gottlieb was the first Warriors head coach and led the team to its inaugural championship in 1947. The franchise also made it to the BAA Finals in the 1947-48 season, but lost to the Bullets. They entered the postseason in four consecutive seasons but never advanced past the Division semifinals. Gottlieb posted a 263-318 record in the regular season and a 15-17 record in the postseason.
- George Senesky (1955–1958): Senesky also led the Warriors to a championship in his first season. The franchise played in another Division Semifinals and Division Finals under his leadership. In three seasons, he achieved a 216-119 record in the regular season and a 10-10 record in the postseason.
- Al Cervi (1958–1959): Cervi coached the Warriors for only one season, posting a 32-40 record.
- Neil Johnston (1959–1961): Johnston achieved a 95–59 regular-season record and a 4–8 playoff record over two seasons, with two playoff appearances.
- Frank McGuire (1961–1962): In his sole season, McGuire led the team to a 49–31 regular-season record and a 6–6 playoff record.
The San Francisco Warriors Years
- Bob Feerick (1962–1963): Feerick’s single season resulted in a 31–49 regular-season record. The Warriors didn’t make it to the playoffs in their first season in San Francisco.
- Alex Hannum (1963–1966): Hannum led the team to the NBA Finals in 1964, securing a 100–140 regular-season record and a 5–7 playoff record over three seasons, with one playoff appearance. He was named the 1964 NBA Coach of the Year.
- Bill Sharman (1966–1968): Under Sharman, the Warriors achieved an 87–76 regular-season record and a 13–12 playoff record over two seasons, with two playoff appearances. They made it to the NBA Finals in Sharman’s first year as a Warriors coach.
- George Lee (1968–1970): Lee’s two-season tenure resulted in a 63–71 regular-season record and a 2–4 playoff record, with one playoff appearance.
Beginning of the Golden State Warriors
- Al Attles (1970–1980, 1980-1983): Attles coached the team to its third championship in 1975. Over 14 seasons, he achieved a 557–518 regular-season record and a 31–30 playoff record, with six playoff appearances and one championship.
- Johnny Bach (1980, 1983–1986): Bach posted a 95–172 regular-season record over four seasons in two stints, with no playoff appearances.
- George Karl (1986–1988): Karl achieved a 58–88 regular-season record and a 4–6 playoff record over two seasons, with one playoff appearance. The Warriors made it to the playoffs after 9 seasons.
- Ed Gregory (1988): Gregory coached the Warriors for only 18 games, winning 4 and losing 14.
- Don Nelson (1988–1995, 2006–2010): Nelson took charge of the Warriors after Gregory. Across two stints totaling 11 seasons, he secured a 422–443 regular-season record and a 14–21 playoff record, with five playoff appearances. He was named the NBA Coach of the Year for the 1991-92 season. The Warriors had to wait for his second stint to qualify for the playoffs after his departure in 1995.
- Bob Lanier (1995): Lanier served as interim coach and managed a 12–25 regular-season record.
The Warriors’ Playoff Drought
- Rick Adelman (1995–1997): Adelman guided the team to a 66–98 regular-season record over two seasons, with no playoff appearances.
- P. J. Carlesimo (1997–1999): Carlesimo finished his tenure with a 46–113 regular-season record over three seasons, with no playoff appearances.
- Garry St. Jean (1999–2000): St. Jean’s tenure resulted in a 13–42 regular-season record during his single season, with no playoff appearances.
- Dave Cowens (2000–2001): Cowens achieved a 25–80 regular-season record over two seasons, with no playoff appearances.
- Brian Winters (2001–2002): Winters served as interim coach and recorded a 13–46 (.220) regular-season record in his sole season, with no playoff appearances.
- Eric Musselman (2002–2004): Musselman led the team to its best record in a decade, narrowly missing the playoffs. He signed off with a 75–89 regular-season record over two seasons.
- Mike Montgomery (2004–2006): Montgomery led the Warriors to a 68–96 regular-season record over two seasons, with no playoff appearances.
- Keith Smart (2010–2011): Smart achieved a 36–46 regular-season record in his single season, with no playoff appearances.
- Mark Jackson (2011–2014): Jackson secured a 121–109 regular-season record and a 9–10 (.474) playoff record in three seasons with the Warriors. He led the franchise to two playoff appearances.
The Steve Kerr Era
- Steve Kerr (2014–Present): Kerr is undoubtedly the greatest coach in the Warriors’ history. His leadership established a dynasty, securing four championships (2015, 2017, 2018, 2022). He holds a 567–308 regular-season record and a 104–48 playoff record, with seven playoff appearances and four championships. He was named the 2016 NBA Coach of the Year.
“The record is kind of surreal… I’m incredibly lucky to be part of this organization, and part of this city.”
– Steve Kerr on becoming the @warriors all-time leader (558) in regular-season coaching wins 💯 pic.twitter.com/TyShMON4l3
— NBA (@NBA) March 16, 2025
The Warriors have become a force to be reckoned with under Kerr. They made it to the Conference Semifinals this season and aim to make a deeper run into the playoffs with Stephen Curry leading the charge.
