Many former NBA stars find a second career in coaching, guiding the next generation of basketball talent. Some start at the high school level, while others jump straight to college programs. These eight former pros leveraged their experience to shape young players and lead competitive teams. From Penny Hardaway’s dominance at Memphis to Mike Woodson’s return to Indiana, each coach brought a unique legacy. Here’s a look at their coaching journeys.

8 Former NBA Stars Who Were Leading High School Teams

Mike Woodson, a former Indiana Hoosier great, returned to coach his alma mater in 2021, leading them to back-to-back NCAA tournament appearances for the first time since 2015-16. However, in February 2025, he announced he would step down at the end of the season. Woodson played 11 years in the NBA and later coached the Hawks and Knicks, as well as serving as an assistant for multiple teams before landing the Indiana job.

8. Mike Woodson – Indiana Hoosiers

Reggie Theus, a two-time NBA All-Star, is pulling double duty as both head coach and athletic director at Bethune-Cookman. Before this role, he coached at Cal State Northridge, the G League’s South Bay Lakers, and even the Sacramento Kings. Drafted No. 9 overall in 1978, Theus had a 13-year NBA career and was an All-American at UNLV before turning to coaching.

7. Reggie Theus – Bethune-Cookman Wildcats

Rod Strickland, one of the best playmakers in NBA history (ranked 13th all-time in assists), is in his second season as the head coach of Long Island University. Before that, he worked with the NBA G League’s Ignite program, helping develop young prospects. A standout at DePaul, Strickland played 17 seasons in the NBA after being drafted by the Knicks in 1988. His coaching career includes stints with South Florida, Kentucky, and Memphis under John Calipari.

6. Rod Strickland – Long Island University Sharks

Two-time NBA All-Star Jerry Stackhouse took over Vanderbilt in 2019, but after five seasons and a 70-92 record, he was let go in 2024. His best seasons came in 2022 and 2023, leading Vandy to consecutive NIT quarterfinals. Before coaching in college, Stackhouse was the head coach of the Raptors 905 in the G League, earning Coach of the Year honors in 2017. As a player, he starred at UNC before being drafted No. 3 overall in 1995.

5. Jerry Stackhouse – Vanderbilt Commodores

Juwan Howard, a key piece of Michigan’s legendary "Fab Five," returned to coach his alma mater in 2019. In 2021, he led the Wolverines to a Big Ten title and was named AP Coach of the Year. However, his tenure ended in 2024 after an 8-24 season. Howard played 19 seasons in the NBA, making an All-Star team and winning back-to-back championships with the Heat in 2012 and 2013. Before Michigan, he was an assistant coach with the Heat for six years.

4. Juwan Howard – Michigan Wolverines

Memphis legend Penny Hardaway returned to his alma mater as head coach in 2018, and he’s been making waves ever since. He secured the nation’s No. 1 recruiting class in 2019, brought home an AAC championship in 2023, and led Memphis to a 16-2 conference record in 2024-25. Hardaway, a four-time NBA All-Star, played 14 seasons in the league after being drafted by the Warriors and traded to Orlando. His coaching career started humbly—at Lester Middle School—but his leadership skills quickly elevated him to the NCAA level.

3. Anfernee "Penny" Hardaway – Memphis Tigers

Hubert Davis, a 12-year NBA sharpshooter, took over the North Carolina Tar Heels in 2021, becoming the first Black head coach in program history. He wasted no time making an impact, leading UNC to the national championship game in his first season. A former Tar Heel himself (1988-92), Davis played for six NBA teams, holding three-point shooting records for both the Knicks and Mavericks. After retiring, he became an ESPN analyst before serving as an assistant coach under Roy Williams from 2012 to 2021.

2. Hubert Davis – North Carolina Tar Heels

Kenny Anderson, the former NBA All-Star and 14-year league veteran, made his mark as the head coach of Fisk University from 2018 to 2024. Though his five-season record stood at 33-79, his best season came in 2023-24, leading the Bulldogs to a 14-16 record (10-8 in the Gulf Coast Athletic Conference). Anderson, once the nation’s top high school recruit out of Archbishop Molloy, played college ball at Georgia Tech before being drafted No. 2 overall in 1991. Before joining Fisk, he coached at the high school level and even led a Continental Basketball Association team.