Oldest NBA coaches still leading teams in the 2025-26 season: Experience on the sidelines

In a league built on speed, youth, and constant change, a few figures continue to defy time from the sidelines. The 2025-26 NBA season brings back familiar faces, veterans whose experience now feels like part of the game’s DNA.

Their résumés span decades, their philosophies forged through eras of evolving play styles. They’ve seen superteams rise and fade, witnessed the three-point revolution and coached through shifts that redefined basketball itself.

Yet, as the pace quickens and rosters get younger, these coaches remain steady voices of wisdom. Their presence isn’t just about history, it’s proof that in a game obsessed with the future, experience still finds a way to win.

Rick Carlisle – Indiana Pacers | Age: 65

Rick Carlisle (Source: Dylan Buell/Getty Images)

At 65, Rick Carlisle stands as the doyen of NBA sidelines for the 2025-26 season. His career is not merely extensive, it is defined by deep, strategic intelligence. A champion as both a player and a coach, he embodies the meticulous tactician.

His style is marked by an obsessive attention to detail, a rare ability to tailor his system to the strengths of his roster, and a reputation for maximizing his teams’ offensive potential, particularly when working with gifted point guards.

His 2021 return to the Indiana Pacers completed a professional full-circle. In this second era in Indianapolis, he has embraced building a young, fast-paced project, adapting his veteran whiteboard to the modern NBA’s speed. His presence on the bench is not just a matter of tenure; it’s the assurance of a team always ready for a nightly tactical battle.

Doc Rivers – Milwaukee Bucks | Age: 64

Doc Rivers (Source: Geoff Stellfox/Getty Images)

Glenn “Doc” Rivers enters his 64th year with a coaching resume few can match, forged in the heat of league contention. His nickname, earned during his playing days with the Atlanta Hawks for wearing a T-shirt featuring Dr. J, has evolved to symbolize his capability as a locker-room “doctor”.

Known for his high charisma and outstanding people management skills, Rivers is the archetype of the coach who gets the best out of superstars, most notably leading the Boston Celtics to the 2008 championship. His arrival with the Milwaukee Bucks mid-season in 2023-24 was a seismic move, an urgent call to stabilize a title contender.

With the Bucks, his mission for the 2025-26 season will be one of redemption, proving that his firm and respected voice is the missing piece to convert sheer talent into a championship banner. His over 1,200 games coached give him the gravitas to navigate any storm.

Billy Donovan – Chicago Bulls | Age: 60

Billy Donovan (Source: Luke Hales/Getty Images)

At 60, Billy Donovan has carved out a unique path to the NBA. Before the professional ranks, his name was synonymous with college basketball royalty: two consecutive national championships with the Florida Gators elevated him to the sport’s pantheon.

His transition to the pro game, first with the Oklahoma City Thunder and now with the Chicago Bulls, has been a study in adaptation. While in the NCAA he was known for a frenetic, full-court pressing style, in the NBA he has proven to be a more patient strategist, focused on player development and maintaining a sturdy defensive framework.

In Chicago, his challenge is navigating the complexities of a franchise in constant flux. He brings the rare blend of a great program builder with critical NBA playoff experience, making him a crucial asset for a team seeking sustainable relevance.

Steve Kerr – Golden State Warriors | Age: 60

Steve Kerr (Source: Alex Slitz/Getty Images)

Few names are as synonymous with modern NBA success as Steve Kerr. At 60, the four-time Golden State Warriors champion head coach and five-time champion as a player, personifies the evolution of the sport.

His philosophy transcends mere X’s and O’s; it is deeply rooted in organizational culture: trust, joy, communication and accountability. Kerr, known as one of the most accurate three-point shooters in league history, translated that offensive mindset to his clipboard, creating a ball-movement, position-less system that revolutionized the NBA.

After immense success and multiple Finals appearances, the 2025-26 season finds him in a phase of re-invention, looking to extend the competitiveness of his veteran core while integrating the next generation. His leadership, which also includes his role as the U.S. National Team coach, is a testament to his impact on not only the game but on modern leadership.

Quin Snyder – Atlanta Hawks | Age: 58

Quin Snyder (Source: Todd Kirkland/Getty Images)

Quin Snyder, at 58, brings an unusual level of intellect and academic preparation to the NBA, holding a Juris Doctor and an MBA from Duke University, where he also served as an assistant coach. After honing his skills in college basketball and overseas, he built a reputation in the NBA for his tactical demandingness and focus on player development, particularly during his successful tenure with the Utah Jazz.

He is a recognized offensive and defensive tactician known for the sophistication of his schemes. His arrival with the Atlanta Hawks in 2023 placed him in command of a talented but inconsistent team.

For 2025-26, he is in the molding phase, seeking to impose his rigorous structure and passion for talent development to unlock the franchise’s full potential. His analytical approach promises a measured and thoughtful approach to every game.

Kenny Atkinson – Cleveland Cavaliers | Age: 58

Kenny Atkinson (Source: Jason Miller/Getty Images)

Kenny Atkinson, at 58, has returned to the head coaching role with the Cleveland Cavaliers following an invaluable stretch as a championship assistant. His first head coaching opportunity with the Brooklyn Nets established him as a player development guru, guiding a rebuild from the ground up and converting second-round picks and undrafted players into solid NBA contributors.

He is known for a philosophy that emphasizes intense defense, fast pace, and a “whole is greater than the sum of its parts” mentality. In Cleveland, he inherits a young, promising team loaded with potential.

His challenge for the 2025-26 season is to integrate the discipline learned during his time on elite coaching staffs with his innate talent for polishing diamonds, seeking to elevate the Cavaliers to the next level of Eastern Conference contention.

Nick Nurse – Philadelphia 76ers | Age: 58

Nick Nurse (Source: Emilee Chinn/Getty Images)

Nick Nurse, at 58, is a unique character in the NBA landscape. His path to success was not the traditional one of the NCAA, but was forged on courts across Europe, giving him a global perspective and an open mind for innovation.

This blend of experiences culminated in the 2019 championship with the Toronto Raptors, where he later won the 2020 Coach of the Year award. He is celebrated for his aggressive and chameleon-like defensive whiteboard, utilizing bold blitzes and switching schemes that few dare to implement.

With the Philadelphia 76ers, his mission is to capitalize on his superstar’s talent, combining his defensive intensity with the tactical flexibility necessary to succeed in the playoffs. He is a coach unafraid to experiment, and his personality is as candid as his strategies.

Chris Finch – Minnesota Timberwolves | Age: 55

Chris Finch (Source: Kelsey Grant/Getty Images)

At 55, Chris Finch is one of the “young veterans” of this group, but his experience traces back to a deep immersion in international basketball, playing and coaching for years in England and other European countries before reaching the NBA.

This background has instilled in him a less structured approach, oriented toward player freedom and intelligence, summarized by his philosophy: “If you give freedom to your players, they’re going to gravitate to the things they do well“. His work with the Minnesota Timberwolves has been a study in adapting to the team’s immense but sometimes inconsistent talent.

Finch, a former G-League Coach of the Year, has been the architect behind the Wolves’ transformation into a Western Conference contender. For the 2025-26 season, his challenge is to solidify a long-term winning identity, maintaining cohesion in a high-caliber locker room. His recent selection as an All-Star coach is a testament to his ability to maximize a multi-star lineup.

Doug Christie – Sacramento Kings | Age: 55

Doug Christie (Source: Billie Weiss/Getty Images)

At 55, Doug Christie represents a newer, yet familiar, face in the head coaching ranks, taking the reins of the Sacramento Kings after years spent as a defensive specialist on various coaching staffs.

Known during his 15-year playing career as one of the league’s most tenacious and intelligent perimeter defenders—a cornerstone of the great Kings teams of the early 2000s—he brings that identity back to the franchise. Promoted to Head Coach in May 2025, his coaching philosophy is rooted in defensive intensity and accountability.

While he has learned from modern minds like Mike Brown, his essence remains that of a hard-nosed veteran prioritizing the less glamorous end of the floor. For the Kings, his mission in 2025-26 is to instill the kind of defensive culture that can turn a high-octane offensive team into a true playoff threat.

Erik Spoelstra – Miami Heat | Age: 54

Erik Spoelstra (Source: Carmen Mandato/Getty Images)

Erik Spoelstra is, quite simply, an anomaly. At 54, he is one of the youngest coaches in the league to be ranked among the Top 15 Coaches in NBA History and, since 2025, the longest-tenured active head coach with a single team.

His journey from video coordinator in 1995 to two-time NBA champion head coach with the Miami Heat is a testament to relentless work ethic, a willingness to adapt, and a profound understanding of the demanding “Heat Culture” established by Pat Riley.

His style is characterized by tactical brilliance, player-specific development, and an unwavering standard of conditioning and effort, extracting maximum value from every player on the roster. Also the Head Coach for the U.S. Men’s National Team, his focus in 2025-26 will be to continue pushing his Miami teams, often underdogs, to the NBA Finals using structure, resilience, and sheer grit.

Jason Kidd – Dallas Mavericks | Age: 52

Jason Kidd (Source: Candice Ward/Getty Images)

Jason Kidd, a Hall of Fame point guard renowned for his vision and uncanny ability to facilitate, now applies that court intelligence to the Dallas Mavericks‘ sideline. At 52, his coaching trajectory has been marked by early turbulence with the Nets and Bucks, followed by success in Dallas, culminating in a Western Conference Finals appearance.

He has evolved from the flashy passer of his playing days to a coach who demands high defensive effort and seeks to empower his backcourt star, leveraging his own experience as a dominant ball-handler. His 2011 NBA title with the Mavericks as a player provides him with unique credibility.

For the 2025-26 season, his primary challenge is balancing the offensive brilliance of his young superstar with the team’s need for consistent, disciplined defense—a testament to his continuous evolution from a “cavalry leader” to a “wise floor general” on the bench.

Brian Keefe – Washington Wizards | Age: 49

Brian Keefe (Source: Jess Rapfogel/Getty Images)

Brian Keefe, 49, may be relatively new to the head coach spotlight, but his 20-plus years of experience in the NBA’s operational engine rooms make him a seasoned hand. His professional roots trace back to the San Antonio Spurs’ championship staff in 2007, and he spent pivotal years as an assistant with the Oklahoma City Thunder, where he was credited with the development of future MVPs like Kevin Durant, Russell Westbrook and James Harden.

He is known for his ability to improve defense—he drastically lifted the Lakers’ defensive ranking during his tenure there—and his focus on player growth and technique. As the Washington Wizards’ permanent Head Coach, he is tasked with the foundational work of a complete franchise rebuild. His 2025-26 season will be defined by patiently implementing the core principles of winning and cultivating the next generation of talent.

Chauncey Billups – Portland Trail Blazers | Age: 49

Chauncey Billups (Source: Steph Chambers/Getty Images)

A five-time All-Star, NBA Champion and Finals MVP, Chauncey Billups brings an undeniable pedigree to the Portland Trail Blazers‘ bench. At 49, he is one of a handful of coaches on this list inducted into the Hall of Fame as a player, giving him instant gravitas in any locker room.

After years of playing under elite coaches, he served as an assistant to Tyronn Lue before taking the top job in Portland. His coaching philosophy is centered around the toughness, defensive tenacity, and clutch execution that defined his playing career.

Though he has faced the inevitable challenges of navigating a franchise rebuild, the 2025-26 season is crucial for him to demonstrate that his championship DNA can successfully translate into a coherent, competitive system for a young, evolving Blazers squad.

Tyronn Lue – Los Angeles Clippers | Age: 48

Tyronn Lue (Source: Matthew Stockman/Getty Images)

At 48, Tyronn Lue is already a championship head coach and widely regarded as one of the best in-game strategists in the league. His coaching style is defined by his remarkable adaptability and tactical fluidity, often making crucial in-game and series-long adjustments that dismantle opponents.

Having played on championship teams with the Lakers and coached a title winner, he carries the respect necessary to manage star-heavy rosters effectively. With the Los Angeles Clippers, he has consistently guided his team deep into the playoffs, leveraging his deep understanding of the star player dynamic.

The 2025-26 season sees him focused on navigating the rigors of an intense Western Conference, proving that his steady hand and tactical genius are the keys to a championship breakthrough for the Clippers organization.

Ime Udoka – Houston Rockets | Age: 48

Ime Udoka (Source: Kenneth Richmond/Getty Images)

Ime Udoka, 48, quickly established his coaching bona fides by leading the Boston Celtics to the NBA Finals in his rookie season before taking the job with the Houston Rockets. A former Gregg Popovich assistant, his roots are in strong defense and uncompromising accountability.

As a coach, he demands a high level of physicality and effort, quickly imposing a distinct, no-nonsense culture on his teams. His focus with the Rockets is entirely on transforming a young, talented group into a disciplined, playoff-caliber unit, leveraging his experience as a player and assistant across multiple successful franchises.

The 2025-26 season will serve as a crucial test to see how effectively he can sustain his high standards and develop his young core into a cohesive, competitive force in the West.