Top 5 Coaches In Sacramento Kings History

Jack McMahon coached the Kings while they were the Cincinnati Royals. He was at the helm for four seasons and coached the Royals to four consecutive Division Semifinals between 1963 and 1967. McMahon also had the privilege of coaching Oscar Robertson.

Phil Johnson coached the franchise in three different locations in two different stints. He began as coach of the Kansas City-Omaha Kings during 1973-1974 and was named Coach of the Year in 1975. The team was later known as just the Kansas City Kings. He returned during the 1984-85 season and was the first head coach when the team moved to Sacramento.

Cotton Fitzsimmons was the skipper of the Kansas City Kings for six seasons. He led the team to four playoff appearances, including a trip to the Conference Finals in 1981. He was named the league’s Coach of the Year in 1979 with the Kings, but much of his success can be credited to his time with the Phoenix Suns.

The list would not be complete if Rick Adelman did not earn a spot. Better known for his eight seasons as the coach of the NBA’s thugs, Adelman led the Kings to the playoffs every year. However, the team considered to be “The Legion of Evil” in the early 21st century was overshadowed year after year by the Los Angeles Lakers. Still, Adelman rightfully deserves the runner-up position.

Had it not been for this man, the Kings franchise and the NBA itself may have never existed. Lester Harrison is one of the architects behind professional basketball in the United States. Starting the Kings as the Rochester Royals in 1945, Harrison helped merge the NBL and BAA into the NBA. He was coach/owner of the team and led the Royals to the 1951 NBA title.