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5 Best Atlanta Hawks Who Became NBA Head Coaches

By Dallin Duffy

WASHINGTON - MARCH 30: Tyronn Lue #10 of the Atlanta Hawks looks on prior to their NBA game against the Washington Wizards on March 30, 2005 at the MCI Center in Washington, D.C. The Wizards won 102-99. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Doug Pensinger/Getty Images)
WASHINGTON - MARCH 30: Tyronn Lue #10 of the Atlanta Hawks looks on prior to their NBA game against the Washington Wizards on March 30, 2005 at the MCI Center in Washington, D.C. The Wizards won 102-99. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Doug Pensinger/Getty Images) /
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Atlanta Hawks
LANDOVER, MD – CIRCA 1987: Doc Rivers #25 of the Atlanta Hawks looks to pass the ball over the top of Muggsy Bogues #1 of the Washington Bullets during an NBA basketball game circa 1987 at the Capital Centre in Landover, Maryland. Rivers played for the Hawks from 1983-91. (Photo by Focus on Sport/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Doc Rivers; Muggsy Bogues /

#1 – Doc Rivers

A second-round pick of Atlanta’s in 1983, Doc Rivers was able to become a competent point guard to run the offense in Dominque Wilkins’ peak seasons. He played a total of 568 games for the Hawks, starting 516 and made his lone All-Star appearance in 1988 when he averaged 14.2 points and 9.3 assists per game.

Rivers showed an elite feel for the game during his time in the league which opened the doors for him to become a head coach soon after retiring as a player. He became Orlando’s skipper in 1999 and won the NBA’s Coach of the Year award in that first season.

He made the playoffs in each of the next three years with the Magic while hovering around .500 but was fired after a 1-10 start to the 2003-2004 season. Boston scooped him right up to serve as head coach of the next season, and Rivers quickly re-established himself as one of the league’s best coaches.

He won his ring a few years later with Paul Pierce and Kevin Garnett, winning multiple Coach of the Month Awards along the way. His value truly showed in 2013 when the Los Angeles Clippers traded an unprotected first-round pick to acquire him.

Rivers has served as the Clips coach since, sporting a .631 winning percentage since taking over.

He’s certainly the best coach to ever play for the Atlanta Hawks.

dark. Next. Devin Vassell NBA Scouting Report

What other Atlanta Hawks players became head coaches?

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