It’s time for Mike Brown to say goodbye to the Kings! Two years ago he took over the Sacramento Kings’ head coach position, made an immediate impact by ending the franchise’s 16-year playoff drought. His success even earned him the Coach of the Year honors. But, he has now become yet another coach to get fired. However, the team’s struggles have returned, and the Kings are once again facing a difficult season. Yet, something else was waiting for him. In light of this, Vivek Ranadive decided it was time for a change, firing Brown earlier today. Interestingly, just before his dismissal, Mike had acknowledged the mounting pressure in his final interview, which is now viral.

“You know it’s part of it. That’s why I get paid the money that I get paid. At the end of the day, you also know when you go through adverse times, you know who was there, who was truly there for you because people will jump off the bandwagon quick…… At the end of the day, you best believe imma handle all the smoke no matter where that smoke comes from.” He said. Well, with that, let’s take a closer look at all the coaches Ranadivé fired.

Who are the eight head coaches Vivek Ranadivé changed?

Since Vivek Ranadivé took over the Kings in 2013, he has made several changes to the team. But, today let’s look into who were the head coaching staff. Each time, he decided to fire the coach, it was driven by various factors, including team performance, player relations, and overall team direction. So without wasting much of our time here are the eight head coaches who have been let go during Ranadivé’s tenure, along with the reasons for their firings:

Each firing came after various struggles, whether on the court, in the locker room, or due to team expectations not being met. His frequent changes reflect his desire to find the right coach to lead the Kings back to success. Now we know about his decision, let’s deep dive into his journey with the Kings.

Vivek Ranadivé’s ownership and saving tales of Sacramento Kings

Since 1998, the Kings was owned by the Maloof family, but later when they started facing a financial crisis, they considered moving the team. Do you know what was the initial though? Seattle was a primary destination, led by an ownership group that included Steve Ballmer, now owner of the Los Angeles Clippers. But who knew something else was waiting for the team?

Yes, we are talking about Vivek Ranadive’s journey with the NBA began in 2010. But, initially, he became the Warriors co-owner and was also the vice chairman. Later he took the reins of the Kings on March 21, 2013. He led a group of investors that purchased 65% of the franchise for $535 million, marking the largest sale in NBA history at the time. This acquisition was crucial, as the team was on the brink of relocation.

In a pivotal moment for Sacramento, Vivek Ranadivé stepped up to save the Kings and keep the team rooted in the city. As a minority owner of the Golden State Warriors at the time, he already had deep ties to the NBA, but his decision to focus on Sacramento showed just how committed he was to the city’s future. Selling his stake in the Warriors, he chose to fight for Sacramento’s survival as an NBA city—not just with his wallet, but with his heart. He recognized the city’s deep passion for basketball and was determined to protect it.

Ranadivé’s leadership wasn’t just about preventing the Kings from relocating. He brought a renewed energy to the franchise, starting with the development of the Golden 1 Center, which opened in 2016. This state-of-the-art arena became a symbol of a new chapter for the team, one filled with excitement and hope. Ranadivé even championed unique ideas to build the team’s identity, like the iconic “winning beam,” inspired by the LA Angels’ Big ‘A’ Sign. It became a signature of the Kings, adding a fun and distinctive element to their brand.

Though the team faced struggles early on, Ranadivé’s investment eventually started paying off. Under his leadership, the Kings not only improved on the court but also deepened their engagement with the Sacramento community. His efforts helped skyrocket the team’s valuation from $535 million in 2013 to an impressive $3.7 billion today—a testament to the stability and vision he brought to the organization, as well as the NBA’s overall growth.

In 2021, Ranadivé took full control of the Kings when he and Arctos Sports Partners bought out the remaining minority owners. This marked the culmination of his mission to secure the team’s future in Sacramento. Over the years, he not only saved the Kings from relocation but also revitalized the city’s bond with its beloved team, transforming the franchise into a valuable and thriving part of the NBA.