Career Timeline of Pat Riley: Major Achievements and Milestones

From career breakthroughs to professional milestones, explore how Pat Riley made an impact.

Pat Riley is a prominent figure in the NBA, renowned as a former player, coach, and executive. Currently the president of the Miami Heat since 1995, he also held head coaching positions with the team for multiple terms. Riley's career spans various roles within professional basketball, highlighting his significant impact and long-standing presence in the league.

Sections (4)

Full Timeline Early Life & Education Career & Achievements Success & Recognition

1967: Drafted by the San Diego Rockets

In 1967, Pat Riley was selected by the San Diego Rockets as the seventh overall pick in the NBA draft. He was also drafted by the Dallas Cowboys in the NFL/AFL draft.

1970: Selected by the Portland Trail Blazers

In 1970, Pat Riley was selected by the Portland Trail Blazers in the NBA expansion draft, after playing three seasons with the Rockets.

1972: NBA Championship with the Lakers

In 1972, Pat Riley played a significant role as a reserve on the Los Angeles Lakers' NBA Championship team, marking a significant achievement in his playing career.

1975: Traded to the Phoenix Suns

During the 1975-76 NBA season, Pat Riley was traded to the Phoenix Suns.

1976: Riley's Retirement

In 1976, Pat Riley retired from professional basketball, having averaged 7.4 points per game over his nine seasons in the league.

1977: Returns to NBA as Broadcaster

In 1977, Pat Riley returned to the NBA as a broadcaster for the Los Angeles Lakers, marking his transition into a new role within the sport.

November 1979: Hired as Lakers Assistant Coach

In November 1979, Pat Riley was hired as an assistant coach for the Lakers after head coach Jack McKinney's accident.

1980: NBA Championship as an Assistant Coach

In 1980, Pat Riley won an NBA championship as an assistant coach.

1981: Riley Named Lakers Head Coach

In 1981, Pat Riley was named head coach of the Lakers after a tumultuous period involving Magic Johnson's trade request and the firing of Paul Westhead. Jerry West assisted him.

1982: Head Coach of NBA All-Star Game

In 1982, Pat Riley was the head coach of the Western Conference team for the NBA All-Star Game, as head coach of the Lakers.

1982: NBA Championship as Head Coach

In 1982, Pat Riley won an NBA championship as a head coach.

1983: Head Coach of NBA All-Star Game

In 1983, Pat Riley was the head coach of the Western Conference team for the NBA All-Star Game, as head coach of the Lakers.

1984: Lost 1984 Finals with Lakers

In 1994 during the finals, Riley became the first coach to participate in an NBA Finals Game 7 with two teams, having been with the Lakers in 1984, when they lost to the Celtics.

1985: NBA Title in Rematch

In 1985, Pat Riley earned his second NBA title as the Lakers beat the Celtics in six games, in a rematch of the previous year's final.

1985: Head Coach of NBA All-Star Game

In 1985, Pat Riley was the head coach of the Western Conference team for the NBA All-Star Game, as head coach of the Lakers.

1985: NBA Championship as Head Coach

In 1985, Pat Riley won an NBA championship as a head coach.

1987: Championship Parade Guarantee

During the Lakers' championship parade in 1987, Pat Riley guaranteed the crowd a repeat championship, which the Lakers later achieved in 1988.

1987: NBA Title with Lakers

In 1987, Pat Riley coached the Lakers to an NBA title, defeating the Celtics in six games and finishing the regular season with a 65-17 record.

1987: NBA Championship as Head Coach

In 1987, Pat Riley won an NBA championship as a head coach.

1988: Publishes 'Showtime'

In 1988, Pat Riley published his book, "Showtime: Inside the Lakers' Breakthrough Season", which became a New York Times best-seller.

Show Time: Inside the Lakers' Breakthrough Season

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1988: NBA Championship as Head Coach

In 1988, Pat Riley won an NBA championship as a head coach.

1988: Repeat Championship

In 1988, Pat Riley's Lakers won the NBA title, defeating the Detroit Pistons in seven games, making them the first team in 19 years to repeat as champions and fulfilling Riley's guarantee.

1988: Participated in an NBA Finals Game 7

In 1994 during the finals, Riley became the first coach to participate in an NBA Finals Game 7 with two teams, having been with the Lakers in 1988, when they defeated the Pistons.

1989: Riley's Three-Peat Trademark

In 1989, Riley's trademark of "three-peat" was overshadowed as Jackson's Bulls won the finals and accomplished a "three-peat."

1989: Trademarking 'Three-Peat'

In 1989, after successfully claiming a repeat championship the year before, Pat Riley, through his corporate entity, Riles & Co., trademarked the phrase 'three-peat', aiming for a third consecutive championship with the Lakers.

1989: Stepping Down as Lakers Head Coach

In 1989-90, Pat Riley stepped down as Lakers head coach after they lost to the Phoenix Suns in the playoffs, despite being named NBA Coach of the Year.

1990: Head Coach of NBA All-Star Game

In 1990, Pat Riley was the head coach of the Western Conference team for the NBA All-Star Game, as head coach of the Lakers.

1991: Joins New York Knicks as Head Coach

In 1991, Pat Riley accepted a job as head coach of the New York Knicks, starting with the 1991-92 season, after a year as a television commentator for NBC.

1991: Start coaching the Knicks

In 1991, Pat Riley starts his first season as the head coach of the New York Knicks.

1992: Eastern Conference Semifinals

In 1992, with Pat Riley as coach, the Knicks pushed the defending champion Chicago Bulls to seven games in the Eastern Conference semifinals, showing a significant improvement from the previous year.

1993: Head Coach of NBA All-Star Game

In 1993, Pat Riley was the head coach of the Eastern Conference team for the NBA All-Star Game, as head coach of the Knicks.

1993: Riley Publishes 'The Winner Within'

In 1993, while coaching the New York Knicks, Pat Riley published his second New York Times bestseller, "The Winner Within: A Life Plan for Team Players", co-authored by Byron Laursen.

The Winner Within: A Life Plan for Team Players

Check it on Amazon

1994: NBA Finals Appearance with Knicks

In 1994, Pat Riley returned to the NBA Finals with the New York Knicks, after defeating the Chicago Bulls. The Knicks lost to the Houston Rockets in seven games.

June 15, 1995: Resigns from Knicks

On June 15, 1995, Pat Riley resigned from the New York Knicks via fax to become president and head coach of the Miami Heat.

1995: Team President of the Miami Heat

In 1995, Pat Riley became the team president of the Miami Heat. He also served as the team's head coach from 1995 to 2003, and again from 2005 to 2008.

1995: First Season with the Heat

In the 1995-96 NBA season, Pat Riley led the Miami Heat to a 42-40 record and personnel changes, acquiring franchise cornerstones Alonzo Mourning and Tim Hardaway.

1997: Coach of the Year

In 1997, Pat Riley's Heat defeated his old team, the Knicks, and advanced to the Eastern Conference finals, where they were defeated by the eventual champion Bulls. Riley was also selected as Coach of the Year for the third time.

2003: Riley Steps Down as Head Coach

Following the 2002–03 season, where the Heat finished with a 25–57 record, Pat Riley stepped down as head coach. He was succeeded by Stan Van Gundy. Also in 2003, the Heat drafted Dwyane Wade as the fifth overall pick in the NBA draft.

2003: End of First Coaching Tenure

In 2003, Pat Riley ended his first stint as head coach of the Miami Heat, having served since 1995. He later resumed the role from 2005 to 2008.

July 2004: Heat Trade for Shaquille O'Neal

In July 2004, Pat Riley traded Caron Butler, Brian Grant, Lamar Odom, and a first-round draft pick to the Lakers for Shaquille O'Neal.

2005: Riley Replaces Van Gundy as Head Coach

During the 2005 off-season and after 21 games into the 2005-06 season, Stan Van Gundy resigned as head coach of the Heat, and Pat Riley took over the position.

2005: Riley Resumes Coaching the Heat

In 2005, Pat Riley resumed his role as the head coach of the Miami Heat, having previously coached the team from 1995 to 2003. He continued in this role until 2008.

2006: NBA Championship with the Heat

In 2006, Pat Riley, as head coach, won an NBA championship with the Miami Heat.

April 28, 2008: Riley Steps Down as Head Coach

On April 28, 2008, Pat Riley announced that he would step down as head coach and name assistant Erik Spoelstra as his successor, while remaining team president.

2008: End of Second Coaching Tenure

In 2008, Pat Riley's second term as head coach of the Miami Heat came to an end. He had been the team's head coach from 2005 to 2008, and previously from 1995 to 2003.

2010: Riley Acquires "Big Three"

In 2010, Pat Riley orchestrated the acquisition of LeBron James and Chris Bosh to join Dwyane Wade, forming the "Big Three" on the Miami Heat.

2012: NBA Championship as an Executive

In 2012, Pat Riley won an NBA championship as an executive.

2013: Riley's Influence as Team President

As of 2013, and throughout his tenure as team president, Pat Riley maintained the final say in basketball matters, even with a nominal general manager in place (Andy Elisburg).

2013: NBA Championship as an Executive

In 2013, Pat Riley won an NBA championship as an executive.

2019: Heat's Transactions

Before the 2019-20 season, Pat Riley traded for Jimmy Butler, drafted Tyler Herro, and signed Kendrick Nunn. Before the 2019-20 trade deadline, the Heat obtained Andre Iguodala and Jae Crowder.