Career Timeline of Nick Nurse: Major Achievements and Milestones
From career breakthroughs to professional milestones, explore how Nick Nurse made an impact.
Nick Nurse is an American professional basketball coach currently leading the Philadelphia 76ers. He gained prominence as the head coach of the Toronto Raptors, guiding them to their first NBA championship in 2019. His coaching success earned him the NBA Coach of the Year award in 2020. Nurse's tenure with the Raptors solidified his reputation as a successful and innovative coach in the NBA.
1989: Student Assistant Coach for Northern Iowa
During the 1989-90 season, Nick Nurse served as the sole student assistant coach for Northern Iowa.
1990: Player-Coach for Derby Rams
In 1990, Nick Nurse became a player-coach for the Derby Rams in the British Basketball League.
1991: Head Coach at Grand View University
In 1991, at the age of 23, Nick Nurse became the head coach at Grand View University, making him the youngest college basketball head coach in the country at the time.
1996: BBL Championship with Birmingham Bullets
In 1996, Nick Nurse won a BBL championship as head coach with the Birmingham Bullets.
1998: Coached Telindus Oostende
In 1998, Nick Nurse coached for the Telindus Oostende of the Ethias League.
2000: BBL Championship and Coach of the Year
In 2000, Nick Nurse won a BBL championship with the Manchester Giants and was named BBL Coach of the Year.
2001: Assistant Coach for Oklahoma Storm
In 2001, Nick Nurse became an assistant coach for the Oklahoma Storm of the United States Basketball League.
2005: Assistant Coach for Oklahoma Storm Again
In 2005, Nick Nurse returned as an assistant coach for the Oklahoma Storm of the United States Basketball League.
2007: Head Coach for Iowa Energy
In 2007, Nick Nurse accepted the head coaching job for the Iowa Energy in the NBA D-League.
2008: Division Title with Iowa Energy
In 2008-2009, Nick Nurse coached the Iowa Energy to win a division title.
2009: Assistant Coach for Great Britain National Team
In 2009, Nick Nurse became an assistant coach under Chris Finch for the Great Britain national team.
2009: Division Title with Iowa Energy
In 2009-2010, Nick Nurse coached the Iowa Energy to win another division title.
April 2010: Associate Head Coach for Iowa State Cyclones
In April 2010, Nick Nurse briefly joined the Iowa State Cyclones as an associate head coach before a coaching change led to a settlement.
2010: Returned to Iowa Energy
In 2010, Nick Nurse returned to his former position as head coach of the Iowa Energy.
2011: Left Energy for Rio Grande Valley Vipers
Before the 2011-2012 season, Nick Nurse left the Iowa Energy to coach the Rio Grande Valley Vipers.
2011: Coach of the Year and D-League Championship
In 2011, Nick Nurse received the Dennis Johnson Coach of the Year Award and led the Iowa Energy to the D-League championship.
2012: Assistant Coach for Great Britain at Summer Olympics
In 2012, Nick Nurse served as an assistant coach for the Great Britain national team at the Summer Olympics in London.
2012: Coached Rio Grande Valley Vipers
In 2012-2013, Nick Nurse coached the Rio Grande Valley Vipers.
July 2013: Assistant Job on the Coaching Staff of the Toronto Raptors
In July 2013, Nick Nurse departed the Vipers for an assistant job on the coaching staff of the Toronto Raptors under Dwane Casey.
2017: Changes to Raptors' Offensive Game Plan
In the 2017-2018 season, Nick Nurse was credited for changes to the Raptors' offensive game plan which included increases in passing and three-point attempts.
June 14, 2018: Promoted to Head Coach of Raptors
On June 14, 2018, Nick Nurse was promoted to head coach of the Toronto Raptors.
2018: Raptors swept in the second round of the 2018 NBA playoffs
In the 2017-2018 season, the Raptors were swept in the second round of the 2018 NBA playoffs by the Cleveland Cavaliers.
May 25, 2019: Coached Raptors to NBA Finals
On May 25, 2019, Nick Nurse coached the Raptors to the 2019 NBA Finals after winning the Eastern Conference Championship.
June 24, 2019: Named Head Coach of Canadian National Team
On June 24, 2019, Nick Nurse was named the head coach of the Canadian men's national team.
2019: NBA Championship with Toronto Raptors
In 2019, Nick Nurse led the Toronto Raptors to their first NBA Championship as their head coach.
August 22, 2020: Named NBA Coach of the Year
On August 22, 2020, Nick Nurse was named NBA Coach of the Year.
September 15, 2020: Signed Multi-Year Contract Extension
On September 15, 2020, the Raptors announced that Nick Nurse had signed a multi-year contract extension.
2020: NBA Coach of the Year
In 2020, Nick Nurse was named the NBA Coach of the Year.
2022: Guided Raptors Back to Playoffs
In 2022, Nick Nurse guided the Toronto Raptors to 48 wins and a return to the playoffs.
April 21, 2023: Fired by the Raptors
On April 21, 2023, Nick Nurse was fired by the Raptors, after the team failed to make the playoffs.
June 1, 2023: Hired as Head Coach of 76ers
On June 1, 2023, Nick Nurse was hired as the head coach of the Philadelphia 76ers.
June 27, 2023: Resigned as National Team Head Coach
On June 27, 2023, Nick Nurse resigned from his role as the head coach of the Canadian national team.
