Plenty of Worthy Candidates to be First NBA Coach Fired

NBA Coaches: Who Will be the First Fired?

By John Reger on November 13, 2019 4 min read

We’re just three weeks into the new NBA season, and there a number of coaches whose jobs may already be in jeopardy. Down in DC, Washington Wizardsâ€™ Scott Brooks is the current favorite to be the first NBA coach fired, but other names further down the betting board might be faster to the unemployment office. Brooks is listed at 2/1 to be the first coach sacked, according to sportsbetting.ag, with Oklahoma Cityâ€™s Billy Donovan coming in second at 7/2.

Washington Wizards coach Scott Brooks — Washington Wizards’ coach Scott Brooks is the 2/1 favorite to be the first NBA coach fired this season. (Image: USA Today Sports)

Brooks is the favorite, based mostly on last yearâ€™s rumors that he was going to be fired after the 2018-19 season. The Wizards were 32-50 last year, and missed the playoffs for the first time since Brooks came to the team in 2016.

First NBA Coach Fired Odds

Coach Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â TeamÂ Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Odds

Scott BrooksÂ Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â WashingtonÂ Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â 2/1

Billy DonovanÂ Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Oklahoma CityÂ Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â 7/2

Jim BoylenÂ Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â ChicagoÂ Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â 4/1

Dwane CaseyÂ Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â DetroitÂ Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â 7/1

Brett BrownÂ Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â PhiladelphiaÂ Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â 8/1

Frank VogelÂ Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â LA LakersÂ Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â 12/1

Mike D’AntoniÂ Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â HoustonÂ Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â 12/1

Ryan SaundersÂ Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â MinnesotaÂ Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â 16/1

Alvin GentryÂ Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â New OrleansÂ Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â 16/1

Brad StevensÂ Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â BostonÂ Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â 18/1

Luke WaltonÂ Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â SacramentoÂ Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â 25/1

Nate McMillanÂ Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â IndianaÂ Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â 25/1

Doc RiversÂ Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â LA ClippersÂ Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â 28/1

David FizdaleÂ Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â NY KnicksÂ Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â 28/1

Terry StottsÂ Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â PortlandÂ Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â 33/1

Quin SnyderÂ Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â UtahÂ Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â 33/1

Odds courtesy of sportsbetting.ag

When Wizards’ team president Ernie Grunfeld was fired after 16 seasons, Brooks lost the man who hired him, and there was speculation he could be next to go. Fortunately for him, the team hired Grunfeld’s assistant, Tommy Sheppard, who has given Brooks a vote of confidence so far.

That affirmation likely wonâ€™t last forever, though. The Wizards are currently 2-6, just one spot above the New York Knicks in the running for the worst record in the Eastern Conference. Even though Washington has looked tougher than they did last year, Sheppard might make a coaching change if the team is still struggling at the All-Star break.

Could Fizdale be Fired First?

With the Knicks as pathetic as ever, the blame game has already begun in the Big Apple. Most of the ire, from fans and management, has been directed at head coach David Fizdale, who is a long shot at 28/1, to be the first NBA coach fired.

Itâ€™s not really his fault, though. The team thought they were going to land Kyrie Irving and Kevin Durant, then were embarrassed when the duo decided to sign with Brooklyn.

The lineup they do have is worthy of a team that should finish last in the Eastern Conference. They have already lost nine out of 11 games this season. Team president Steve Mills, and general manager Scott Perry, met the media on Sunday, after the Knicks lost to Cleveland, 108-87. The two told reporters they aren’t pleased with the pitiful start.

“Scott and I are not happy with where we are right now,” Mills said. “We think the team is not performing to the level that we anticipated, or we expected to perform at, and that’s something that we think we collectively have to do a better job of delivering the product on the floor.”

Championship or Bust for Vogel

One of the surprise names mentioned as possible first coach fired is the Lakers first-year man, Frank Vogel. At 12/1 odds, he’s tied for sixth with Houstonâ€™s Mike Dâ€™Antoni.

It makes sense, though. Vogel was brought in to babysit LeBron James and Anthony Davis as they lead the Lakers to the NBA Finals. If they make the finals, James and Davis will get the credit. If they donâ€™t, Vogel will get the blame.

The Lakers are currently tied for the best record in the Western Conference, so Vogel has been able to fly under the radar. If that continues, he should be safe. Throw in a bad round in the playoffs, however, and Vogel could be gone.