Rise to Success: Career Highlights of Steve Kerr

Discover the career path of Steve Kerr, from the first major opportunity to industry-changing achievements.

Steve Kerr is an American professional basketball coach for the Golden State Warriors, and former player, broadcaster, commentator and executive. Renowned for his accuracy as a three-point shooter, he holds the NBA record for highest career three-point percentage. Kerr has achieved remarkable success, winning nine NBA championships: five as a player and four as a head coach. His accomplishments led to his recognition as one of the 15 Greatest Coaches in NBA History and served as the head coach of the U.S. national team.

Sections (5)

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

1975: Warriors' first four-game playoff sweep since the 1975 NBA Finals

In the first round of the playoffs against the New Orleans Pelicans, Kerr led the Warriors to their first four-game playoff sweep since the 1975 NBA Finals.

1986: FIBA World Championship

In the summer of 1986, Steve Kerr was named to the U.S. national team that competed in the FIBA World Championship in Spain. The team won the title, marking the first time since 1954.

1988: All-American Honors and NBA Draft

In 1988, Steve Kerr earned All-American honors as a senior playing college basketball for the Arizona Wildcats. He was then selected by the Phoenix Suns in the second round of the NBA draft.

1988: Phoenix Suns Draft

In 1988, Steve Kerr was selected by the Phoenix Suns in the second round (50th overall) of the NBA draft.

1989: Trade to Cleveland Cavaliers

In 1989, Steve Kerr was traded to the Cleveland Cavaliers for draft consideration.

December 1992: Traded to the Orlando Magic

In December 1992, Steve Kerr was traded to the Orlando Magic for draft considerations.

1993: Signed with the Chicago Bulls

In 1993, Steve Kerr signed with the Chicago Bulls as a three-point shooting specialist.

1994: Single-Season Three-Point Shooting Percentage

In 1994-95, Steve Kerr had the league's all-time leader in single-season three-point shooting percentage at .524

1994: Playoffs with the Bulls

In the 1993-94 season, the Chicago Bulls made the playoffs.

1994: Franchise Single-Season Record

In the 1994-95 season, Steve Kerr set the Bulls' franchise single-season three-point field goal percentage (.524) record.

1995: Playoffs with the Bulls

In the 1994-95 season, the Chicago Bulls made the playoffs.

1995: Warriors broke the 1995–96 Chicago Bulls 72–10 record by winning 73 games

In the 2015-2016 season, the Warriors broke the 1995–96 Chicago Bulls 72–10 record by winning 73 games

1996: NBA Championship with the Bulls

In 1996, Steve Kerr and the Chicago Bulls defeated the Seattle SuperSonics in six games to win the NBA Finals.

1997: NBA Finals Game 6 Winning Shot and Three-Point Contest Win

In 1997, during Game 6 of the NBA Finals, Steve Kerr made a 17-foot jump shot to win the championship for the Chicago Bulls. He also won the Three-Point Contest at the 1997 NBA All-Star Weekend.

1998: Assisted in Game 2 of the NBA Finals

In 1998, during Game 2 of the NBA Finals, Steve Kerr missed a three-pointer but passed to Jordan, leading to a three-point play that put the Bulls in the lead for good. The Bulls won the series.

January 1999: Acquired by San Antonio Spurs

In January 1999, Steve Kerr was acquired by the San Antonio Spurs in a sign-and-trade deal with the Chicago Bulls.

July 24, 2001: Traded to the Portland Trail Blazers

On July 24, 2001, Steve Kerr was traded to the Portland Trail Blazers along with Derek Anderson.

August 2, 2002: Traded Back to the Spurs

On August 2, 2002, Steve Kerr was traded back to the San Antonio Spurs along with Erick Barkley and a 2003 second-round pick.

2003: Retirement from NBA

In 2003, Steve Kerr announced his retirement after the NBA Finals.

2003: Broadcast Analyst for TNT

In 2003, Steve Kerr became a broadcast analyst for Turner Network Television (TNT).

2003: NBA Championship with the Spurs and Retirement

In 2003, Steve Kerr helped the Spurs win the NBA championship and announced his retirement after the NBA Finals.

April 15, 2004: Part of Potential Buyers

On April 15, 2004, Steve Kerr was announced as a member of a potential group of buyers to acquire the Phoenix Suns.

2004: Minority Owner of Phoenix Suns

In 2004, Steve Kerr became a minority owner of the Phoenix Suns as part of a group led by Robert Sarver that purchased the team.

June 2, 2007: Named General Manager of the Phoenix Suns

On June 2, 2007, Steve Kerr announced that he would become the general manager of the Phoenix Suns starting with the 2007-08 season.

June 2007: Named Phoenix Suns' President

In June 2007, Steve Kerr was named the president of basketball operations and general manager for the Phoenix Suns.

2007: Left Broadcasting for Suns' General Manager Position

In 2007, Steve Kerr left broadcasting to become the general manager of the Phoenix Suns.

December 10, 2008: Trade with Charlotte Bobcats

On December 10, 2008, Steve Kerr continued to remake the Suns roster by trading Boris Diaw, Raja Bell, and Sean Singletary to the Charlotte Bobcats in exchange for Jason Richardson, Jared Dudley, and the Bobcats' 2010 second-round draft pick, which was used to draft Gani Lawal of Georgia Tech.

June 25, 2009: Trade with Cleveland Cavaliers

On June 25, 2009, Steve Kerr traded Shaquille O'Neal to the Cleveland Cavaliers for Ben Wallace, Sasha Pavlovic, a future second-round draft pick and cash.

June 2010: Leaving Suns' Position

In June 2010, Steve Kerr announced that he was leaving his position as president of basketball operations and general manager for the Phoenix Suns.

2010: Departure from the Phoenix Suns

In 2010, Steve Kerr departed from his position as president of basketball operations and general manager of the Phoenix Suns, concluding his executive role with the team.

2010: Returned to TNT as NBA Analyst

In 2010, Steve Kerr returned as an NBA analyst for TNT for the 2010–11 NBA season.

2011: Called NCAA Men's Division I Basketball Championship

In 2011, Steve Kerr called the NCAA Men's Division I Basketball Championship on Turner Sports and CBS, teaming up with Jim Nantz and Clark Kellogg for the First Four and Final Four games, and with Albert in other rounds.

May 14, 2014: Agreement to coach the Golden State Warriors

On May 14, 2014, Steve Kerr reached an agreement to become the head coach for the Golden State Warriors on a five-year, $25 million deal, succeeding Mark Jackson, after receiving coaching offers from both the Warriors and the New York Knicks.

May 2014: Named Head Coach of Golden State Warriors

In May 2014, Steve Kerr was named the head coach of the Golden State Warriors.

December 10, 2014: First NBA rookie head coach to win 21 of his first 23 games

On December 10, 2014, Steve Kerr became the first NBA rookie head coach to achieve 21 wins in his initial 23 games.

2014: Joins Golden State Warriors as Head Coach

In 2014, Steve Kerr decided to transition from ownership to coaching, accepting the head coach position with the Golden State Warriors.

2014: NBA on TNT Color Commentator

In 2014, after stepping down from his post with the Suns, Steve Kerr worked as a color commentator for NBA on TNT.

Loading Video...

2015: Warriors win 2015 NBA Finals

In 2015, Steve Kerr led the Warriors to victory in the NBA Finals against the Cleveland Cavaliers in six games, securing his first championship as a head coach.

2015: Named head coach of the Western Conference team for the 2015 NBA All-Star Game

In 2015, Steve Kerr was named the head coach of the Western Conference team for the 2015 NBA All-Star Game, after the Warriors showcased the best record in the conference.

2015: First NBA Championship as Head Coach

In 2015, Steve Kerr won his first NBA Championship as head coach of the Golden State Warriors.

January 2016: Luke Walton as Interim Coach

In January 2016, assistant coach Luke Walton assumed Kerr's coaching duties.

January 22, 2016: Kerr Returns to Coaching

On January 22, 2016, Steve Kerr returned to coaching the Warriors after missing 43 games due to back issues. He warned he might need to miss games occasionally if there was a recurrence of the headaches and pain related to the spinal fluid leak that sidelined him.

July 4, 2016: Warriors Sign Kevin Durant

On July 4, 2016, the Warriors acquired free agent Kevin Durant, forming a "superteam" of Durant, Stephen Curry, Klay Thompson, and Draymond Green.

2017: Second NBA Championship as Head Coach

In 2017, Steve Kerr won his second NBA Championship as head coach of the Golden State Warriors.

2017: Warriors win 2017 NBA Finals

In 2017, Steve Kerr, with Mike Brown as acting head coach during Kerr's absence, led the Warriors to win the NBA Finals, defeating the Cleveland Cavaliers in five games. The Warriors finished the playoffs with a 16–1 record, the best postseason winning percentage in NBA history.

2018: Third NBA Championship as Head Coach

In 2018, Steve Kerr won his third NBA Championship as head coach of the Golden State Warriors.

2018: Warriors win 2018 NBA Finals

In 2018, Steve Kerr won his third championship as head coach when the Warriors swept the Cleveland Cavaliers in four games during the NBA Finals, marking his eighth championship overall.

2020: Assistant Coach for Olympic Gold Medal Team

In 2020, Steve Kerr served as an assistant coach for the United States men's Olympic basketball team that won the gold medal at the Summer Olympics.

December 2021: Named Head Coach of U.S. Men's Basketball Team

In December 2021, Steve Kerr was appointed as the head coach of the U.S. men's basketball team.

2022: Warriors win 2022 NBA Finals

In 2022, Steve Kerr led the Warriors to the NBA Finals, where they defeated the Boston Celtics in six games, marking his fourth championship as head coach and ninth overall.

2022: Fourth NBA Championship as Head Coach

In 2022, Steve Kerr won his fourth NBA Championship as head coach of the Golden State Warriors.

2024: Four Straight Titles After 1969

As of 2024, Steve Kerr is the only NBA player to win four straight NBA titles after 1969.

2024: Olympic Gold Medal at Paris Olympics

At the 2024 Summer Olympics Men's Basketball Tournament, Steve Kerr coached the United States team to its fifth consecutive gold medal at Paris' Bercy Arena in a win over host country France, 98–87.