History of Alvin Gentry in Timeline

Alvin Gentry is an American basketball executive currently serving as the vice president of basketball engagement for the Sacramento Kings. He is a former player and coach with extensive NBA experience. Gentry has held head coaching positions for six NBA teams, including the Miami Heat (interim), Detroit Pistons, Los Angeles Clippers, Phoenix Suns, New Orleans Pelicans and Sacramento Kings. His career reflects a long-standing involvement and leadership within the sport of professional basketball.

Sections (2)

Full Timeline Career & Achievements

November 5, 1954: Alvin Gentry Born

On November 5, 1954, Alvin Harris Gentry was born. He later became a professional basketball executive, coach, and former player.

Others born on this day/year

1978: Graduate Assistant at University of Colorado

In 1978, Alvin Gentry spent one year as a graduate assistant at the University of Colorado.

1980: Assistant Coaching Job at Baylor University

In 1980, Alvin Gentry received his first full-time collegiate assistant coaching job at Baylor University under Jim Haller.

1981: Assistant Coach at the University of Colorado

From 1981 to 1986, Alvin Gentry returned to the University of Colorado as an assistant coach under Tom Apke.

1986: Assistant at the University of Kansas

In 1986, Alvin Gentry served as an assistant at the University of Kansas under Larry Brown.

1988: Larry Brown Left Kansas

Before the 1988–89 NBA season, Larry Brown left Kansas and Alvin Gentry joined Gregg Popovich, R. C. Buford, and Ed Manning as part of Larry Brown's assistant coaching staff for the Spurs.

1988: Won NCAA National Championship

In 1988, Alvin Gentry, as an assistant at the University of Kansas under Larry Brown, won the NCAA National Championship.

1989: Assistant Coach for the San Antonio Spurs

In 1989, Alvin Gentry began his NBA coaching career as an assistant coach for the San Antonio Spurs under Larry Brown.

1989: End of Assistant Job at University of Kansas

In 1989, Alvin Gentry ended his job as assistant at the University of Kansas under Larry Brown.

1990: Assistant for the Los Angeles Clippers

In 1990, after two seasons in San Antonio, Alvin Gentry left to become an assistant for the Los Angeles Clippers beginning in the 1990–91 season.

1991: Assistant Coach for the Miami Heat

For the 1991 season Alvin Gentry joined Kevin Loughery's staff as an assistant coach for the Miami Heat, where he coached for three seasons.

1994: Interim Head Coach for the Miami Heat

In 1994, Alvin Gentry served as an interim head coach for the Miami Heat at the end of the 1994–95 season.

1994: Moved to Detroit Following Season

In 1994, following the 1994–95 season Alvin Gentry moved to Detroit where he served as an assistant for two and a half seasons.

1997: Named Head Coach in Detroit

Late in the 1997–98 season, Alvin Gentry was named head coach for the Detroit team.

1999: Returned to San Antonio

Following the 1999–2000 season, Alvin Gentry returned to San Antonio as head assistant coach.

2000: Returned to San Antonio

Following the 1999–2000 season, Alvin Gentry returned to San Antonio as head assistant coach.

March 2003: Fired by the Los Angeles Clippers

In March 2003, Alvin Gentry was fired by the Los Angeles Clippers, following a run of five consecutive defeats. His final record as Clippers head coach stood at 89–133.

2009: Named Suns' Head Coach

In 2009, Alvin Gentry was named Phoenix Suns' head coach for the 2009–10 season.

2010: Advanced to Western Conference Finals

During the 2009–2010 season, Alvin Gentry's record in his first year as head coach was 54 wins, a career high, against 28 losses. The Suns advanced to the Western Conference finals and lost to the Lakers in six games.