Larry Brown Coaching Timeline
2012-2016: Southern Methodist Mustangs
After spending decades roaming NBA sidelines, Brown returned to college basketball as SMU's head coach on April 19, 2012. Brown, 75, resigned in July 2016 because he wanted a long-term deal but SMU wasn't willing to commit to him in the long term. Brown was 94-39 in four seasons with the Mustangs.
Regular season and postseason record: 94-39
2008-2010: Charlotte Bobcats
Brown joined forces with fellow UNC alum Michael Jordan in Charlotte in 2008 and helped the franchise to its first-ever playoff appearance in 2009-10. But after a disappointing 9-19 start this season, Brown stepped down as head coach. Jordan said it was a mutual decision.
Regular-season record: 88-104 | Postseason record: 0-4
2005-2006: New York Knicks
Brown's 11th head coaching post was his "dream job," at least from a paycheck standpoint. LB inked one of the richest coaching contracts in sports history (five years/$50-plus million). But the Knicks presented a considerable challenge in that they had a mishmash roster, and Brown was fired after just one season. Four months later, Brown and the Knicks reached a settlement, under which Brown reportedly received just less than half the $40 million remaining on his deal.
Regular-season record: 23-59
2003-2005: Detroit Pistons
Brown won the NBA title in his first season in Motown and took the Pistons to the NBA Finals in the second. But the 2004-05 season was a struggle. There was the offseason Olympic debacle, the fight with the Pacers, and some serious medical problems. During the conference finals, league sources told ESPN.com that Brown decided to take a front-office job with the Cleveland Cavaliers. On July 18, ESPN.com reported that the Pistons and Larry Brown were close to a buyout agreement. The next day it became official.
Regular-season record: 108-56 | Postseason record: 31-17
1997-2003: Philadelphia 76ers
Brown took Allen Iverson to the NBA Finals. However, numerous run-ins with his temperamental superstar caused the coach to tire of Philly. After some behind-the-scenes negotiating with the Pistons, Detroit sent coach Rick Carlisle out the back door as Brown was ushered in the front.
Regular-season record: 255-208 | Postseason record: 28-37
1993-1997: Indiana Pacers
Brown brought credibility to an emerging franchise. After several successful seasons, Brown wore out his welcome in Indy. In his last season, Indiana finished with a record below .500 and Brown said, "Reggie Miller isn't a great player."
Regular-season record: 190-138 | Postseason record: 22-16
1991-1993: Los Angeles Clippers
In what might be his biggest accomplishment to date, Larry Brown guided the Clippers to the postseason twice, but he was not happy with the front office. With two seasons left on his contract, he packed his bags for Indiana. At his first Pacers news conference, Brown said, "I'm hopeful this will be my last stop."
Regular-season record: 64-53 | Postseason record: 4-6
1988-1991: San Antonio Spurs
Brown brought respectability to the Spurs, but had a falling out with owner Red McCombs late in the 1990-91 season. McCombs said Brown asked to be fired, so he obliged. Eventually, Jerry Tarkanian got the job and lasted just 20 games.
Regular-season record: 153-131 | Postseason record: 7-7
1983-1988: Kansas Jayhawks
Brown won the 1988 NCAA title with Danny Manning and the Miracles. Shortly after the tournament, he announced he was leaving Kansas for the San Antonio Spurs. Brown's five-year stay in Lawrence was the shortest of any head coach in Jayhawks history.
Regular season and postseason record: 135-44
1981-1983: New Jersey Nets
Brown coached New Jersey less than two full seasons. As the Nets were preparing for the '83 playoffs, Brown took a quick trip to Lawrence to interview for the open Kansas job. After Brown agreed to accept the Kansas job, Nets management fired him with just six games remaining in the regular season. The Nets were swept in the first round by the Knicks.
Regular-season record: 91-67 | Postseason record: 0-2
1979-1981: UCLA Bruins
In his first season in Westwood, Brown's Bruins surprised everyone and made it to the 1980 championship game, where they lost to Louisville. The next year, the Bruins fell to fourth in the Pac-10 and were bounced from the tournament by BYU. When the New Jersey Nets offered to quadruple his salary, Brown jumped.
Regular season and postseason record: 42-17
1974-1979: Denver Rockets/Nuggets (ABA/NBA)
Brown stayed four-plus seasons in Denver, winning two division titles and two more ABA Coach of the Year awards. The 1978-79 Nuggets team went 47-35, but it was not a calm season. On Feb. 1, 1979, Brown abruptly resigned, citing burnout and fatigue. Later that year Brown signed on with UCLA.
Regular-season record: 251-134 | Postseason record: 21-24
1972-1974: Carolina Cougars (ABA)
Brown's first season as a pro coach, he was named ABA Coach of the Year and took the Carolina Cougars to the ABA semifinals, where they lost to the Kentucky Colonels. After his second season, the team was sold and moved to St. Louis. Brown decided to go to Denver instead, where he joined the ABA's Rockets.
Regular-season record: 104-64 | Postseason record: 7-9