History of Phil Jackson in Timeline
Phil Jackson is a highly successful American former NBA player and coach, renowned for his record-breaking 11 NBA championships as a head coach. He won two championships as a player. Inducted into the Basketball Hall of Fame in 2007, Jackson is celebrated as one of the 10 greatest coaches in NBA history (1996). He also holds records for most postseason wins (229) and conference titles (13).
September 17, 1945: Philip Douglas Jackson Born
On September 17, 1945, Philip Douglas Jackson was born. He would later become a professional basketball player, coach, and executive in the NBA.
1959: Boston Celtics began eight consecutive titles
From 1959 through 1966, the Boston Celtics won eight NBA titles in a row, the first time this had been achieved.
1962: Bill Fitch becomes Head Basketball Coach at University of North Dakota
In the spring of 1962, Bill Fitch took over as head basketball coach at the University of North Dakota during Phil Jackson's junior year of high school. Fitch had been scouting for the Milwaukee Braves.
1965: Fighting Sioux faced the Southern Illinois Salukis
In 1965, Phil Jackson's North Dakota Fighting Sioux were beaten by the Southern Illinois Salukis in the NCAA Division II tournament. Walt Frazier, Jackson's future Knicks teammate, starred for the Salukis.
1966: End of Boston Celtics eight consecutive titles
From 1959 through 1966, the Boston Celtics won eight NBA titles in a row, the first time this had been achieved.
1966: Another Loss to Southern Illinois Salukis
In 1966, Phil Jackson's North Dakota Fighting Sioux were once again beaten by the Southern Illinois Salukis in the NCAA Division II tournament. Walt Frazier did not play that year.
1967: Drafted by the New York Knicks
In 1967, Phil Jackson was drafted in the second round by the New York Knicks. Despite being limited offensively, he compensated with his intelligence and defensive skills.
1969: Spinal Fusion Surgery
In 1969, Phil Jackson underwent spinal fusion surgery and did not play during New York's 1969-70 championship season.
1970: Authored "Take It All"
In 1970, despite not playing due to surgery, Phil Jackson authored a book entitled "Take It All", which documented the Knicks' 1970 championship run.
1973: Opening in Starting Lineup
Following the 1973 title win, several key starters retired from the New York Knicks, creating an opportunity for Phil Jackson to move into the starting lineup.
1973: NBA Title with Knicks
In 1973, Phil Jackson was a top reserve on the New York Knicks team that won the NBA title, marking a significant achievement in his playing career.
1974: Shared Lead for Total Personal Fouls
During the 1974-75 NBA season, Phil Jackson and Bob Dandridge of the Milwaukee Bucks both had 330 personal fouls, sharing the league lead.
1978: Played for the New Jersey Nets
In 1978, Phil Jackson crossed the Hudson River to play for the New Jersey Nets for two seasons.
1979: Final NBA season
After playing for two seasons with the New Jersey Nets, 1979-80 was Phil Jackson's last season as a player in the NBA.
January 26, 1983: Appointed Head Coach for the Albany Patroons
On January 26, 1983, Phil Jackson was appointed as the head coach for the Albany Patroons of the CBA, replacing his former teammate Dean Meminger.
1984: Coached the Piratas de Quebradillas
In 1984, Phil Jackson coached the Piratas de Quebradillas in Puerto Rico.
1984: First Coaching Championship with the Patroons
In 1984, Phil Jackson won his first coaching championship with the Albany Patroons, leading them to their first title.
1985: CBA Coach of the Year
In 1985, Phil Jackson was named the CBA Coach of the Year for his success with the Albany Patroons.
1986: Coached the Gallitos de Isabela
In 1986, Phil Jackson coached the Gallitos de Isabela in Puerto Rico.
October 10, 1987: Hired as Assistant Coach by the Chicago Bulls
On October 10, 1987, Phil Jackson was hired as an assistant coach by the Chicago Bulls under Doug Collins.
1987: Coached the Piratas de Quebradillas again
In 1987, Phil Jackson coached the Piratas de Quebradillas again in Puerto Rico.
1987: Hired as Assistant Coach for the Chicago Bulls
In 1987, Phil Jackson was hired as the assistant coach for the Chicago Bulls, marking a significant step in his coaching career.
1989: Promoted to Head Coach
In 1989, Phil Jackson was promoted to head coach of the Chicago Bulls after Doug Collins was fired.
1989: Promoted to Head Coach of the Bulls
In 1989, Phil Jackson was promoted to head coach of the Chicago Bulls, setting the stage for a successful coaching tenure.
1990: Loss to the Detroit Pistons
In 1990, the Chicago Bulls, coached by Phil Jackson, lost to the Detroit Pistons in the conference finals.
1991: Recap of the Bulls "three-peat" returning players
For 1995-96, the revamped Bulls featured only Jordan and Scottie Pippen as the returning players from the 1991-93 "three-peat".
1991: Defeated the Detroit Pistons
In 1991, Phil Jackson coached the Chicago Bulls to sweep the Detroit Pistons in the conference finals. The Bulls subsequently defeated the Los Angeles Lakers in the NBA Finals.
1991: First NBA Championship with Bulls
In 1991, Phil Jackson coached the Chicago Bulls to their first NBA championship, starting a dominant run in the league.
1992: Defeated the Portland Trail Blazers
In 1992, Phil Jackson coached the Chicago Bulls to defeat the Portland Trail Blazers for the NBA championship.
1993: Defeated the Phoenix Suns
In 1993, Phil Jackson coached the Chicago Bulls to their third consecutive NBA championship, defeating the Phoenix Suns.
1993: Third Consecutive Championship with Bulls
In 1993, Phil Jackson led the Chicago Bulls to their third consecutive NBA championship, completing their first "three-peat".
1994: Loss to the New York Knicks
In 1994, Phil Jackson's Chicago Bulls faced the New York Knicks in the playoffs for the fourth consecutive time, with the Knicks winning in seven games. This marked the third straight time that Jackson faced off against Pat Riley.
1995: Playoff Elimination by Orlando Magic
Despite Michael Jordan's return shortly before the 1995 playoffs, Phil Jackson's Chicago Bulls were eliminated by the Orlando Magic in the conference semi-finals.
1996: Fourth Championship with Bulls
In 1996, Phil Jackson coached the Chicago Bulls to their fourth NBA championship, continuing their dominance after Jordan's return.
1996: Fourth Title Over Seattle SuperSonics
In 1996, Phil Jackson coached the Chicago Bulls to their fourth NBA title, defeating the Seattle SuperSonics, after setting a regular season record of 72-10.
1996: Named One of the 10 Greatest Coaches in League History
In 1996, Phil Jackson was named one of the 10 greatest coaches in NBA history, solidifying his reputation as a top coach.
1997: Fifth Title Over Utah Jazz
In 1997, Phil Jackson coached the Chicago Bulls to their fifth NBA title, defeating the Utah Jazz.
1997: Tension Between Jackson and Jerry Krause
In the summer of 1997, tensions grew between Phil Jackson and Bulls general manager Jerry Krause, with Jackson not being invited to Krause's stepdaughter's wedding.
1998: Departure After Final Title
After securing the Bulls' final title of the Jordan era in 1998, Phil Jackson left the team, vowing never to coach again due to tensions and the impending rebuild.
1998: Sixth Title Over Utah Jazz
In 1998, Phil Jackson led the Chicago Bulls to their sixth NBA title, again defeating the Utah Jazz, despite an aging and injured roster.
1998: Sixth Championship with Bulls
In 1998, Phil Jackson secured his sixth NBA championship as head coach of the Chicago Bulls, marking the end of an era.
1999: Coaching another chance with the Los Angeles Lakers
In 1999, After taking a year off, Phil Jackson decided to give coaching another chance with the Los Angeles Lakers, taking over as head coach from Kurt Rambis.
1999: Hired as Head Coach of the Lakers
In 1999, Phil Jackson was hired as the head coach of the Los Angeles Lakers, beginning a new chapter in his coaching career.
2000: NBA Championship with the Lakers
In 2000, Phil Jackson and the Los Angeles Lakers beat the Indiana Pacers, coached by Larry Bird, in the NBA championship. The Lakers had a regular season record of 67-15.
2001: Additional Title in 2001
In 2001, Phil Jackson led the Lakers to another title, marking his second consecutive championship with the team, against the Philadelphia 76ers.
2002: Another title in 2002
In 2002, Phil Jackson coached the Los Angeles Lakers to their third consecutive title, defeating the New Jersey Nets. The main challenge the Lakers faced was from the Sacramento Kings.
2002: Third Consecutive Championship with Lakers
In 2002, Phil Jackson led the Los Angeles Lakers to their third consecutive NBA championship, securing his second "three-peat" as a coach.
2003: Release of "The Last Season"
In 2003, Phil Jackson released "The Last Season", a book offering his perspective on the tensions within the 2003-04 Lakers team, and was critical of Kobe Bryant.
2003: Loss in the Second Round
In 2003, Phil Jackson's Lakers were beaten in the second round of the NBA Playoffs by the San Antonio Spurs. There was also a public tension between Bryant and O'Neal, along with clashes between Jackson and Bryant.
2003: Signing of NBA Star Veterans
Prior to the 2003–04 season, the Lakers signed NBA star veterans Karl Malone and Gary Payton, leading to predictions by some that the team would finish with the best record in NBA history.
June 18, 2004: Lakers Announce Jackson's Departure
On June 18, 2004, the Lakers announced that Phil Jackson would leave his position as Lakers coach after seeking to double his salary. The departure was attributed by some to Kobe Bryant's wishes, though all parties denied any explicit demand. O'Neal indicated that the franchise was pandering to Bryant with Jackson's departure, leading to O'Neal's trade to the Miami Heat and the end of the "Trifecta".
2004: Loss to the Detroit Pistons in NBA Finals
In 2004, Phil Jackson's Los Angeles Lakers lost to the Detroit Pistons in the NBA Finals, ending their hopes for another championship.
2004: Lakers' struggles post-Jackson and O'Neal
In 2004, without Phil Jackson and O'Neal, the Lakers shifted to a faster-paced style. Injuries impacted the team, leading to a 34–48 record in the 2004-05 season and missing the playoffs. Rudy Tomjanovich resigned as coach mid-season, fueling speculation about Jackson's return.
June 15, 2005: Lakers Rehire Jackson
On June 15, 2005, the Lakers rehired Phil Jackson as their coach. He promoted selfless team play with the triangle offense. Jackson worked seamlessly with Kobe Bryant, who had expressed a desire for Jackson's return.
2005: Return to the Lakers
In 2005, Phil Jackson returned to coach the Los Angeles Lakers after taking a season off.
2006: Lakers' Playoff Berth and First-Round Exit
In 2006, Phil Jackson led the Lakers to a seventh-seed playoff berth. The Lakers faced the Phoenix Suns in the first round, taking a 3–1 lead, but the Suns won the series. It marked the first time a Jackson-coached team failed to reach the second round.
January 7, 2007: Jackson Achieves 900th Win
On January 7, 2007, Phil Jackson secured his 900th win, ranking him 9th on the all-time list of NBA coaches. He became the fastest to reach this milestone, achieving it in 1,264 games, surpassing Pat Riley's previous record.
December 12, 2007: Jackson Extends Contract with Lakers
On December 12, 2007, Phil Jackson signed a 2-year contract extension to remain coach of the Los Angeles Lakers through the end of the 2009–2010 season.
2007: Inducted into the Basketball Hall of Fame
In 2007, Phil Jackson was inducted into the Basketball Hall of Fame, recognizing his contributions to the sport.
December 25, 2008: Jackson Achieves 1,000th Win
On December 25, 2008, Phil Jackson became the sixth coach to win 1,000 games as the Lakers defeated the Celtics. He was the fastest to reach 1,000 wins, surpassing Riley.
2008: Lakers Reach NBA Finals Against Celtics
During the 2007-08 season, the Lakers obtained Pau Gasol, and with him and Bryant, Phil Jackson coached the Lakers to the 2008 NBA Finals against the Boston Celtics. Boston won the series 4–2, handing Jackson and the Lakers their worst playoff loss ever in Game 6.
2009: Lakers Win NBA Championship
In 2009, Phil Jackson coached the Lakers to the NBA Finals, where they defeated the Orlando Magic 4–1. This victory secured Jackson's 10th NBA championship as head coach, surpassing the record previously held by him and Red Auerbach.
2009: Championship with the Lakers
In 2009, Phil Jackson coached the Los Angeles Lakers to an NBA championship, marking his fourth title with the team.
February 3, 2010: Jackson Becomes Most Successful Lakers Coach
On February 3, 2010, Phil Jackson achieved his 534th win as Lakers head coach, surpassing Pat Riley to become the most successful coach in franchise history.
July 1, 2010: Jackson Announces Return to Lakers
On July 1, 2010, after deliberation, Phil Jackson announced his return to coach the Lakers for the 2010–11 season, addressing health concerns.
August 2, 2010: Jackson Signs New Contract for Final Season
On August 2, 2010, Phil Jackson signed a new contract with the Lakers for what he called "his last stand", indicating the 2010–11 season would be his final one.
2010: Another Championship with the Lakers
In 2010, Phil Jackson led the Los Angeles Lakers to another NBA championship, winning his fifth title with the team.
2010: Fifth-Most NBA Coaching Wins
In 2010, Phil Jackson ranked fifth among all NBA coaches in total wins, surpassing 1,000 victories. He was unique among the top six coaches with 1,000+ wins for not having coached over 1,900 games and for not being in the top 10 for total games coached.
January 2011: Jackson Reiterates Final Season
In January 2011, Phil Jackson reiterated that the 2010-2011 season would be his final season as the coach of the Lakers.
2011: Retirement from Coaching
In 2011, Phil Jackson retired from coaching after a successful career with the Los Angeles Lakers.
2012: Lakers Approach Jackson After Brown's Firing
In 2012, after firing Mike Brown, the Lakers approached Phil Jackson. However, they hired Mike D'Antoni instead, preferring his fast-paced style over Jackson's triangle offense, despite fan chants for Jackson.
April 21, 2014: Knicks Fire Mike Woodson and Staff
On April 21, 2014, Phil Jackson fired Mike Woodson and his entire staff after the Knicks finished the season with a 37–45 record.
June 9, 2014: Knicks Hire Derek Fisher as Head Coach
On June 9, 2014, the Knicks hired Derek Fisher as the head coach, who previously played under Phil Jackson with the Lakers.
June 25, 2014: Knicks Trade Felton and Chandler to Mavericks
On June 25, 2014, the Knicks, under Phil Jackson, traded Raymond Felton and Tyson Chandler to the Dallas Mavericks for Shane Larkin, José Calderón, Samuel Dalembert, Wayne Ellington, and two draft picks. This was Jackson's first trade as an executive.
2014: Team President of the New York Knicks
In 2014, Phil Jackson became the team president of the New York Knicks, returning to the team where his playing career began.
2014: Jackson Becomes President of the Knicks
In 2014, after discussions, Phil Jackson became the president of the New York Knicks after signing a five-year, $60 million contract on March 18.
January 7, 2015: Knicks Set Franchise Losing Streak Record
On January 7, 2015, under Phil Jackson, the Knicks set a franchise record with 13 straight losses after falling to the Washington Wizards. This streak was extended to 16 games, contributing to a franchise-worst record of 17–65 for the season.
June 25, 2015: Knicks Draft Kristaps Porziņģis
On June 25, 2015, the Knicks, led by Phil Jackson, drafted Kristaps Porziņģis with the fourth overall pick. They also traded Tim Hardaway Jr. for Jerian Grant, the 19th pick in the draft.
November 14, 2016: Jackson Criticized for "Posse" Comment
On November 14, 2016, Phil Jackson faced criticism for using the term "posse" to describe LeBron James and his business associates.
December 27, 2016: Jackson and Buss End Engagement
On December 27, 2016, Phil Jackson and Jeanie Buss announced the termination of their engagement in a joint statement on Twitter.
June 28, 2017: Jackson and Knicks Part Ways
On June 28, 2017, the Knicks announced a mutual decision to part ways with Phil Jackson. The parting was speculated to be due to Jackson's attempted buying-out of Carmelo Anthony and his public strife with Porziņģis. Steve Mills replaced Jackson.
2017: Departure from the New York Knicks
In 2017, Phil Jackson concluded his tenure as team president of the New York Knicks.
2020: Featured in "The Last Dance"
In 2020, Phil Jackson was featured in the documentary miniseries "The Last Dance", alongside Michael Jordan, Scottie Pippen, Steve Kerr, and Dennis Rodman.
April 2023: Jackson States He No Longer Watches NBA
In April 2023, Phil Jackson stated that he no longer watches the NBA due to it becoming too political, expressing a desire for sports to remain non-political.
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