Coaches

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Sports coaches are the professionals who instruct and train the athletes participating in some specific sports. Coaches play a very important role in helping individual players and teams achieve their full potential and thereby improve their performances. Professional sports are highly competitive and in such situations the responsibilities of the coach increases manifold. Often the head coach of a professional team is assisted by assistant coaches and physical trainers. Coaches identify the strengths and weaknesses of their clients and help them in implementing a suitable training programme to improve their physical and psychological fitness. In addition to helping professional players in achieving their highest potentials, coaches also scout for new talents. They play the role of mentors as they encourage and motivate aspiring sportspersons to take up a particular sport. Coaches in any sport are required to have experience and expertise in playing that particular sport. The duties and responsibilities of coaches differ according to the sports they coach their clients in. It is a highly demanding yet highly satisfying job. Browse this section to explore about the life and works of various famous sports coaches from all over the world.

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 1 
Pep Guardiola
(Former Spanish Football Player Who is Considered One of the Greatest Managers of All Time)
Pep Guardiola
4
Birthdate: January 18, 1971
Sun Sign: Capricorn
Birthplace: Santpedor, Spain

A football addict from beginning, Pep Guardiola went on to become a key player with the Barcelona and the Spanish National team. He played a crucial role in winning major titles like the La Liga and an Olympic gold medal. After retiring as a player, he became a coach and is widely regarded as one of the world's best coaches. 

 2 
Steve Kerr
(American Professional Basketball Coach and Former Player)
Steve Kerr
4
Birthdate: September 27, 1965
Sun Sign: Libra
Birthplace: Beirut, Lebanon

Professional basketball coach and former player, Steve Kerr, is currently the head coach of the Golden State Warriors of the NBA. He has won five NBA titles as a player and three as a head coach. He has been immensely successful as a coach, helping his team break the record for the most wins in an NBA season.

 3 
John Madden
(Head Coach of the Oakland Raiders)
John Madden
4
Birthdate: April 10, 1936
Sun Sign: Aries
Birthplace: Austin, Minnesota, United States
Died: December 28, 2021
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 4 
Steve Nash
(Former Canadian Basketball Player, Coach and 8-Time NBA All-Star Winner)
Steve Nash
4
Birthdate: February 7, 1974
Sun Sign: Aquarius
Birthplace: Johannesburg, South Africa

Canadian national Steve Nash is a basketball coach and a former player. Known for his playmaking skills, he played for Dallas Mavericks, Phoenix Suns and Los Angeles Lakers in America’s coveted National Basketball Association. He also played for the Canadian national men’s team from 1991 to 2003. He became the head coach of Brooklyn Nets of NBA in September 2020.

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 5 
Phil Jackson
(American Former Professional Basketball Player Who Played As a 'Power Forward')
Phil Jackson
7
Birthdate: September 17, 1945
Sun Sign: Virgo
Birthplace: Deer Lodge, Montana, United States

Phil Jackson is a former professional basketball player who played 12 seasons in the National Basketball Association and won the NBA championships in 1970 and 1973 when he was with New York Knicks. Later, he coached the Chicago Bulls and Los Angeles Lakers and led them both to numerous championships and league titles and is considered one of the greatest basketball coaches ever.

 6 
Bill Belichick
(Head coach of the team New England Patriots of the NFL)
Bill Belichick
4
Birthdate: April 16, 1952
Sun Sign: Aries
Birthplace: Nashville, Tennessee, United States
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 7 
Urban Meyer
(Former American Football Player and Coach)
Urban Meyer
4
Birthdate: July 10, 1964
Sun Sign: Cancer
Birthplace: Toledo, Ohio, United States

Urban Meyer is an American football coach who is currently serving as the head coach of the Jacksonville Jaguars which competes in the NFL. He has also coached college football teams like the Ohio State Buckeyes, helping the team win its maiden Big Ten Conference title. He has also worked as an analyst for popular TV networks like Fox Sports.

 8 
Andy Reid
(Head Coach for the National Football League Team 'Kansas City Chiefs')
Andy Reid
4
Birthdate: March 19, 1958
Sun Sign: Pisces
Birthplace: Los Angeles, California, United States

Andy Reid is an American football coach who is currently serving as the head coach for the National Football League team the Kansas City Chiefs. Reid is credited with revitalizing the Chiefs which was a struggling team when he started coaching them in 2013. He helped the Kansas City Chiefs win a Super Bowl title, their first in 50 years.

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 9 
Jerry West
(American Basketball Executive and Former Player)
Jerry West
4
Birthdate: May 28, 1938
Sun Sign: Gemini
Birthplace: Chelyan, West Virginia, United States

Basketball player Jerry West, also known as Mr. Clutch, for his ability to snatch games in clutch situations, is known for his stint with the Los Angeles Lakers of the NBA. He was part of the US squads that won an Olympic gold in 1960 and a Pan American Games gold in 1959.

 10 
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar
(One of the Greatest Basketball Players of All Time)
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar
8
Birthdate: April 16, 1947
Sun Sign: Aries
Birthplace: New York, New York, United States

Retired basketball player Kareem Abdul-Jabbar is a legendary NBA champion and its all-time leading scorer. Known for his trademark skyhook shot, he achieved remarkable feats during his career. Later, he pursued a successful writing and acting career and was even selected U.S. global cultural ambassador. The NBA star is also the proud recipient of the prestigious Presidential Medal of Freedom.

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 11 
Patrick Ewing
(Jamaican-American Basketball Coach and Former Basketball Player)
Patrick Ewing
4
Birthdate: August 5, 1962
Sun Sign: Leo
Birthplace: Kingston, Jamaica

Patrick Ewing is a Jamaican-American former basketball player who played for popular NBA teams like New York Knicks and Seattle SuperSonics. He also won gold medals at the 1984 and 1992 Olympic Games as part of the US men's national basketball teams. In 2008, Patrick Ewing was inducted into the Basketball Hall of Fame for his individual career.

 12 
Mike Krzyzewski
(Former Basketball Coach at Duke University)
Mike Krzyzewski
4
Birthdate: February 13, 1947
Sun Sign: Aquarius
Birthplace: Chicago, Illinois, United States

Mike Krzyzewski is a men's basketball coach currently affiliated with Duke University. He played basketball in the United States Military Academy and served as an officer in the United States Army for a few years. He later joined the coaching staff at the Indiana Hoosiers. He has been with Duke University since 1980 and plans to retire soon. 

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 13 
Dan Marino
(Former American Football Player and One of the Greatest Quarterbacks in NFL History)
Dan Marino
4
Birthdate: September 15, 1961
Sun Sign: Virgo
Birthplace: Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States
Quarterback Dan Marino had a successful stint with the Miami Dolphins, leading them to 10 playoffs and the Super Bowl XIX. However, he never won a title. Named to Pro Bowl nine times, he was also the 1984 NFL MVP and part of the 2019 NFL 100 All-Time Team.
 14 
Pat Riley
(American Professional Basketball Executive, Former Coach, and Former Player)
Pat Riley
4
Birthdate: March 20, 1945
Sun Sign: Pisces
Birthplace: Rome, New York, United States

Pat Riley is a former coach and player in the National Basketball Association (NBA). Currently, he is a professional basketball executive and has been the team president of the Miami Heat since 1995. He is considered one of the greatest NBA coaches of all time and is a recipient of the Chuck Daly Lifetime Achievement Award. 

 15 
Penny Hardaway
(American College Basketball Coach and Former Professional Player)
Penny Hardaway
6
Birthdate: July 18, 1971
Sun Sign: Cancer
Birthplace: Memphis, Tennessee, United States

Penny Hardaway is a college basketball coach who is currently serving as the head coach for the Memphis Tigers men's basketball team. A former player, Hardaway played for teams like Miami Heat and New York Knicks in the National Basketball Association where he was a two-time All-NBA First Team member and a four-time NBA All-Star. 

 16 
Dabo Swinney
(American Football Coach)
Dabo Swinney
4
Birthdate: November 20, 1969
Sun Sign: Scorpio
Birthplace: Birmingham, Alabama, United States

Dabo Swinney is an American football coach. The highest-paid coach in college athletics history, Dabo Swinney helped the Clemson Tigers of the Clemson University win two national championships; he is the second-most successful head coach in Clemson history, only behind Frank Howard.

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 17 
Muggsy Bogues
(Basketball player)
Muggsy Bogues
6
Birthdate: January 9, 1965
Sun Sign: Capricorn
Birthplace: Baltimore, Maryland, United States

Muggsy Bogues is a former basketball player. Standing at 5 feet 3 inches tall, Bogues is the shortest player in the history of the National Basketball Association (NBA). When his 14-season NBA career came to an end, Bogues served as the head coach for Charlotte Sting, which participated in the Women's National Basketball Association (WNBA) from 1997 to 2007. 

 18 
Tyronn Lue
(American Professional Basketball Coach and Former Player)
Tyronn Lue
4
Birthdate: May 3, 1977
Sun Sign: Taurus
Birthplace: Mexico, Missouri, United States

Tyronn Lue is an American basketball coach currently serving as the head coach for the popular team Los Angeles Clippers of the NBA. Previously, he coached the Cleveland Cavaliers, which won the 2016 NBA Finals under his guidance. During his playing career, Tyronn Lue helped the Los Angeles Lakers win two NBA championships.

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 19 
Doc Rivers
(Former Professional Basketball Player and Head Coach of the Philadelphia 76ers')
Doc Rivers
4
Birthdate: October 13, 1961
Sun Sign: Libra
Birthplace: Chicago, Illinois, United States

Doc Rivers is a former American basketball player, who in his thirteen seasons played primarily for Atlanta Hawks and was known for his defence. After retirement, he picked up coaching responsibilities for Orlando Magic and in his first year was awarded NBA Coach of the Year. Later, he led Boston Celtics to NBA championship. He is currently the coach of Philadelphia 76ers.

 20 
Vince Lombardi
(One of the Greatest Coaches and Leaders in the History of All American Sports)
Vince Lombardi
4
Birthdate: June 11, 1913
Sun Sign: Gemini
Birthplace: Brooklyn, New York, United States
Died: September 3, 1970

Football coach, Vince Lombardi, is best known for being the head coach of the Green Bay Packers during the 1960s. Beginning his career as a high school coach, he eventually started coaching  National Football League (NFL) teams. As a head coach in the NFL, he never had a losing season. He died of cancer in 1970.

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 21 
Patrice Evra
(Footballer - Left-back for France)
Patrice Evra
4
Birthdate: May 15, 1981
Sun Sign: Taurus
Birthplace: Dakar, Senegal
 22 
Jimmy Johnson
(American Former Football Coach and Sports Analyst)
Jimmy Johnson
4
Birthdate: July 16, 1943
Sun Sign: Cancer
Birthplace: Port Arthur, Texas, United States
Jimmy Johnson, also known as “Jimmy Jumpup," led the Dallas Cowboys as their head coach and won two Super Bowls consecutively. He has also coached teams such as the Miami Dolphins and Oklahoma State. He is one of two NFL coaches to be inducted into the “Centennial Class.” 
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 23 
John Terry
(British Professional Football Coach and Former Player Who Played as a Centre-Back)
John Terry
4
Birthdate: December 7, 1980
Sun Sign: Sagittarius
Birthplace: Barking, England
 24 
Carlo Ancelotti
(Italian Former Professional Footballer Regarded as One of the Greatest Managers of All Time)
Carlo Ancelotti
6
Birthdate: June 10, 1959
Sun Sign: Gemini
Birthplace: Reggiolo, Italy

Carlo Ancelotti had humble beginnings as a midfielder in Italian club football. He was part of the Italian national squad in two World Cups and one UEFA Euro, and is one of three managers who have won the UEFA Champions League thrice, twice with Milan and once with Real Madrid.

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 25 
Amar'e Stoudemire
(American-Israeli Professional Basketball Coach and Former Player)
Amar'e Stoudemire
4
Birthdate: November 16, 1982
Sun Sign: Scorpio
Birthplace: Lake Wales, Florida, United States

Known as much for his basketball skills, as for his towering 6’10” height, Amar'e Stoudemire has played for major teams such as the New York Knicks and the Phoenix Suns. An Olympic bronze medal winner, he now coaches the NBA team Brooklyn Nets. He also founded the Each One, Teach One foundation.

 26 
Ime Udoka
(Former Professional Basketball Player and Head Coach of the 'Boston Celtics')
Ime Udoka
3
Birthdate: August 9, 1977
Sun Sign: Leo
Birthplace: Portland, Oregon, United States
Nigerian-American NBA player Ime Udoka is known for his 7-year stint as an assistant coach with the San Antonio Spurs. His association with experts such as coach Gregg Popovich has enriched his career and raised hopes that he will soon be hired as a head coach by a major team.
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 27 
Kyle Shanahan
(Head Coach for the National Football League Team ‘San Francisco 49ers’)
Kyle Shanahan
4
Birthdate: December 14, 1979
Sun Sign: Sagittarius
Birthplace: Minneapolis, Minnesota, United States
Kyle Shanahan is the head coach of the NFL team San Francisco 49ers. He has previously been the offensive coordinator for teams such as the Atlanta Falcons, the Houston Texans, the Cleveland Browns, and the Washington Redskins. He helped the 49ers appear in Super Bowl LIV.
 28 
Tony Dungy
(American Former Football Safety & Coach Who Served as a Head Coach for 'Tampa Bay Buccaneers' and 'Indianapolis Colts')
Tony Dungy
4
Birthdate: October 6, 1955
Sun Sign: Libra
Birthplace: Jackson, Michigan, United States

Former American football player and coach, Tony Dungy, currently works as an advisor for the professional football team, The Houston Texans. An evangelical Christian, Dungy has been an integral part of several community service organizations over the years. Also a writer, Dungy claims that his memoir Quiet Strength has touched the lives of many.

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 29 
Mike Ditka
(Former American Football Player Who Has Won an NFL Title as a Player, Assistant Coach & Head Coach)
Mike Ditka
4
Birthdate: October 18, 1939
Sun Sign: Libra
Birthplace: Carnegie, Pennsylvania, United States
Mike Ditka, nicknamed “Iron Mike,” was a star footballer for the Chicago Bears, the Philadelphia Eagles, and the Dallas Cowboys. He has coached the Cowboys and has also trained the Bears to win the Super Bowl XX. He has also worked as a sports broadcaster for ESPN and NBC.  
 30 
Sean Payton
4
Birthdate: December 29, 1963
Sun Sign: Capricorn
Birthplace: San Mateo, California, United States
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 31 
James Naismith
(The Inventor of the Game of 'Basketball')
James Naismith
4
Birthdate: November 6, 1861
Sun Sign: Scorpio
Birthplace: Almonte, Mississippi Mills, Canada
Died: November 28, 1939
Canadian-American physician and coach James Naismith is considered as the inventor of basketball. He authored the first basksetball rule book and established the University of Kansas basketball team. He served as the Kansas Jayhawks athletic director and coach, and trained legends such as Adolph Rupp and Dean Smith.
 32 
Doug Pederson
(Football coach)
Doug Pederson
4
Birthdate: January 31, 1968
Sun Sign: Aquarius
Birthplace: Bellingham, Washington, USA
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 33 
Claudio Ranieri
(Football Manager)
Claudio Ranieri
14
Birthdate: October 20, 1951
Sun Sign: Libra
Birthplace: Rome

Claudio Ranieri is an Italian football manager and the current head coach of Sampdoria, a football club which competes in Serie A. As a manager, Ranieri has won several honors, such as the 2016 LMA Manager of the Year and the Best FIFA Men's Coach. A former player, Ranieri was inducted into the Italian Football Hall of Fame in 2016.

 34 
Louis van Gaal
(Retired Dutch Football Midfielder Who Later Turned Into a Successful Coach)
Louis van Gaal
6
Birthdate: August 8, 1951
Sun Sign: Leo
Birthplace: Amsterdam, Netherlands

Retired Dutch footballer Louis van Gaal was a midfielder and now serves the Dutch national team as its head coach. While he began his playing career with Ajax, he later had an immensely successful managerial career with Ajax, Barcelona, and Bayern Munich, and was named the 1995 World Soccer Manager of the Year.

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 35 
Chauncey Billups
(Basketball player - Point guard, Basketball coach)
Chauncey Billups
4
Birthdate: September 25, 1976
Sun Sign: Libra
Birthplace: Denver, Colorado, United States
 36 
Bob Knight
(Basketball coach)
Bob Knight
4
Birthdate: October 25, 1940
Sun Sign: Scorpio
Birthplace: Massillon, Ohio, United States
 37 
Jack Wilshere
(English Football Coach and Former Professional Player Who Played as a Midfielder)
Jack Wilshere
4
Birthdate: January 1, 1992
Sun Sign: Capricorn
Birthplace: Stevenage, Hertfordshire, England
 38 
Brad Stevens
(Basketball coach)
Brad Stevens
4
Birthdate: October 22, 1976
Sun Sign: Libra
Birthplace: Zionsville, Indiana, United States
 39 
Bruce Arians
(American football player)
Bruce Arians
4
Birthdate: October 3, 1952
Sun Sign: Libra
Birthplace: Paterson, New Jersey, United States
 40 
Bear Bryant
(One of the Greatest College Football Coaches of All Time)
Bear Bryant
6
Birthdate: September 11, 1913
Sun Sign: Virgo
Birthplace: Cleveland County, Arkansas, United States
Died: January 26, 1983

Bear Bryant was an American football player who represented the Crimson Tide of the University of Alabama. Bryant is remembered for his illustrious career as a coach. He served as the head coach of the Crimson Tide for 25 years, during which he helped his team win six national championships. He is regarded as the greatest college football coach ever.

 41 
Matt LaFleur
(American football coach)
Matt LaFleur
4
Birthdate: November 3, 1979
Sun Sign: Scorpio
Birthplace: Mount Pleasant, Michigan, United States
 42 
Fabio Cannavaro
(Italian Professional Football Coach and Former Football Player Who Played as Centre-Back)
Fabio Cannavaro
5
Birthdate: September 13, 1973
Sun Sign: Virgo
Birthplace: Naples, Italy

Italian former football star Fabio Cannavaro was part of his country’s 2006 World Cup-winning team and now coaches the Chinese football club Guangzhou. He has won awards such as the Ballon d'Or and was the only defender to earn the FIFA World Player of the Year tag.

 43 
Jermain Defoe
(English Former Professional Footballer and Coach)
Jermain Defoe
4
Birthdate: October 7, 1982
Sun Sign: Libra
Birthplace: Beckton, London, England
 44 
Ron Rivera
(American football coach)
Ron Rivera
4
Birthdate: January 7, 1962
Sun Sign: Capricorn
Birthplace: California, United States
 45 
Joe Bryant
(Basketball Players)
Joe Bryant
4
Birthdate: October 19, 1954
Sun Sign: Libra
Birthplace: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
 46 
Lou Holtz
( Former American Football Player, Coach, and Analyst)
Lou Holtz
4
Birthdate: January 6, 1937
Sun Sign: Capricorn
Birthplace: Follansbee, West Virginia, United States

Lou Holtz has been the head football coach of teams such as the New York Jets. He led Notre Dame to be the national champions. Holtz became the only coach to guide four programs to the final top 20. The College Football Hall of Famer later became an ESPN analyst.

 47 
Nick Saban
(One of the Greatest College Football Coaches of All Time)
Nick Saban
8
Birthdate: October 31, 1951
Sun Sign: Scorpio
Birthplace: Fairmont, West Virginia

Nick Saban is an American football coach who is currently serving as the head coach for the University of Alabama. He has also served as the head coach for the NFL team Miami Dolphins. Widely regarded as the greatest coach in the history of college football Saban was made an inductee of the Alabama Sports Hall of Fame in 2013.

 48 
Don Shula
(Football coach)
Don Shula
4
Birthdate: January 4, 1930
Sun Sign: Capricorn
Birthplace: Grand River, Ohio, United States
Died: May 4, 2020
 49 
Mike Leach
(Head coach)
Mike Leach
4
Birthdate: March 9, 1961
Sun Sign: Pisces
Birthplace: Susanville, California, United States
 50 
Derek Fisher
(Basketball coach)
Derek Fisher
4
Birthdate: August 9, 1974
Sun Sign: Leo
Birthplace: Little Rock, Arkansas, United States