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The 10 Greatest Coaches in Indiana Pacers History

By Jon Washburn

Mar 21, 2015; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Indiana Pacers head coach Frank Vogel calls out a play from the bench in the second half of the game against the Brooklyn Nets at Bankers Life Fieldhouse. The Brooklyn Nets beat the Indiana Pacers by the score of 123-111. Mandatory Credit: Trevor Ruszkowski-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 21, 2015; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Indiana Pacers head coach Frank Vogel calls out a play from the bench in the second half of the game against the Brooklyn Nets at Bankers Life Fieldhouse. The Brooklyn Nets beat the Indiana Pacers by the score of 123-111. Mandatory Credit: Trevor Ruszkowski-USA TODAY Sports /
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#9. Jack McKinney

Jack McKinney
Jack McKinney /

Overall: 125-203  

Playoff Record: 0-3

1981 NBA Coach of the Year

  • 1980-81: 44-38  6th (out of 11) in East; 0-3 in Playoffs
  • 1981-82: 35-47  8th (out of 11) in East
  • 1982-83: 20-62  Last in East
  • 1983-84: 26-56  Last in East

It’s unclear whether Jack McKinney really elevated Indiana in 1981 on his way to winning the NBA’s Coach of the Year award.

It’s exceedingly possible that he was simply a new face and a change of pace from Slick Leonard, who had lost the ear of his team after successfully leading them for so many years.

After the small turnaround in 1981, McKinney’s teams got progressively worse in each of his three remaining years before he eventually gave way to George Irvine. McKinney deserves a lot of credit for leading the Pacers to their first winning season in the NBA, but it’s possible that he was just a mediocre coach that was in the right place at the right time in 1981.

Next: Up Next: #8. The Good Doctor

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