When it comes to naming those head coaches who have been instrumental in their franchise’s success as much as the players, the name of 58-year-old Steve Kerr certainly comes to mind. Having been associated with the Golden State Warriors for over 10 years now, the head coach has fruitfully worked alongside players like Stephen Curry, Klay Thompson, Draymond Green, and others to lead the team to four championship titles. His decade with the Warriors has been described as the most successful period of the franchise, providing him with accolades like Coach of the Year (2016), twice being named the NBA All-Star Game head coach (2015, 2017), and being included in the elite list of the ‘Top 15 Coaches in NBA History’. This is the reason why, despite the Warriors’ abysmal performance this season, the coach’s evaluability has just reached a new high.

Back in February 2024, Steve Kerr had signed a multi-year contract extension deal with the Warriors. Along with increasing his tenure with the franchise, the deal also raised his annual salary to approximately $17.5 million. While the pay is less than what some of the star players on his roster earn, it still makes him the highest-paid head coach in the league. Steve Kerr’s contract extension came a few months before Sacramento Kings head coach Mike Brown rejected his own. According to renowned sports reporter Shams Charania, Brown was offered a deal that would provide him with $21 million, but over a three-year period.

Along with potential bonuses, the pay would have even increased to $27 million. However, this would still be $10 million less than what his former employer is set to make. Having earlier worked alongside Steve Kerr as assistant coach, Brown joined the Sacramento Kings in 2022. Within a two-year period, he led the franchise to a 48–34 win record and got them to their first playoff series since 2006. Brown was even unanimously named the NBA Coach of the Year in 2023. Under his guidance, the Sacramento Kings managed to reach the Play-In series during the ongoing tournament. This was a feat that not even the Warriors could manage.

But despite all of the above-stated feats, Mike Brown wasn’t even in the top 10 list of highest-paid coaches when entering the 2023–24 season. According to reports, he won’t sign a deal until he is guaranteed at least $10 million per year.

Which head coaches earn more than Mike Brown?

Even if Mike Brown were to take the recently offered $7 million/year contract extension with the Sacramento Kings, there would still be 8 head coaches who would earn more than him. You already know about the contract details of one of them (Steve Kerr). Therefore, it’s time to jump and find out who the rest are.

Rick Carlisle ($7.5 million/year)

Rick Carlisle has been a part of the NBA coaching world for over 35 years now. During this time period, he kept alternating with the Indiana Pacers, having served as the assistant coach from 1997–2000 and then the head coach from 2003–2007. After returning in 2021, he was granted a four-year contract that would pay him a total of $29 million.

In the three years since his comeback, the Pacers have been rebuilt around star player Tyrese Haliburton by putting a mix of young and old roster to the forefront. After a two-year hiatus, the franchise recently made the playoffs and went all the way to the Eastern Conference Finals.

Jason Kidd ($8 million/year)

This 51-year-old veteran worked alongside Luka Doncic, Kyrie Irving, and other players to recently bring the Dallas Mavericks to the NBA Finals for the first time in 13 years. After joining the franchise in 2021, he was put under an $8 million/year deal. While his final season would have been 2024–25, the head coach signed an extension with the Mavericks barely a few weeks ago.

Kidd didn’t have much success when starting out as head coach for the Brooklyn Nets and the Milwaukee Bucks. He served as an assistant coach for the Los Angeles Lakers from 2019–21 and received the chance to hoist a championship trophy. If the Mavericks prevail in the next few days, he will have the opportunity to do the same again, but this time as Head Coach.

Nick Nurse ($8 million/year)

Under the leadership of 56-year-old Nick Nurse, the Toronto Raptors won their first and only championship back in 2019. However, the success did not replicate in the later seasons. After losing to the Chicago Bulls in the playoffs last year, the franchise made the decision to cut ties with Nurse. His one championship win had made him a renowned individual in the NBA circle, and it didn’t take him long to find a new home.

Nick Nurse was taken in by the Philadelphia 76ers in June 2023. Since he was fired before his four-year, $32 million contract could be fulfilled by the Raptors, the same was extended to his new franchise. The 76ers reached the playoffs under his guidance before getting eliminated by the New York Knicks.

Monty Williams ($13 million/year)

Despite being one of the most poorly performing franchises of the modern NBA, the Detroit Pistons boast one of the highest-paid coaches in the league, Monty Williams. Having joined the franchise in 2023, he was awarded a contract that would grant him $78.5 million over a six-year period.

The 2023–24 season, Willams’ first year as head coach, saw the Pistons record 28 losses in a row. This is the longest losing streak within a single season in the history of the NBA.

Tyronn Lue ($14 million/year)

Until a few days ago, Tyronn ‘Ty’ Lue wasn’t even cracking the top 5 list. However, that changed barely a few hours ago, when the 47-year-old chose to extend his tenure with the LA Clippers for a five-year, $70 million deal.

Erik Spoelstra ($15 million/year)

Having served as the head coach of the Miami Heat for over 16 years, Erik Spoelstra has led the franchise to two championship wins. Back in January, he made history after signing an eight-year, $120 million contract. recently made history. Adrian Wojnarowski reported that this is not just the highest amount of money to have been committed to any NBA coach but to any “North American coach of any sport.”

Gregg Popovich ($16 million/year)

Gregg Popovich is one of the most respectable names of the modern NBA. At 75 years of age, he has served as the head coach of the Spurs for a whopping 28 years. Last year, along with getting himself inducted into the Basketball Hall of Fame, he signed a five-year extension that raised his annual pay from 11.5 million to 16 million.

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