Starting in 2000-01 the play of the team diminished, finishing 53-29 that season, the Jazz did not win 50 games again until 2006-07. Led by Olympians Deron Williams and Carlos Boozer, the last two seasons has seen the team’s performance return to the form Stockton and Malone ear teams.
Sloan is the longest tenured coach with a single franchise in all of American professional sports. As of end of the 2007-08 season, Sloan’s record as a head coach is 1089 – 717 placing him fourth on the all-time most-winning NBA coaches list.
Tom Kelly, Minnesota Twins – In 1986 the Minnesota Twins hired their 11th coach in team history and one year later they won the World Series, beating the St. Louis Cardinals, ending a 63 year draught. His teams never won a great deal of regular season games. From 1987 – 1993 the Twins posted 80 or more wins five out of six seasons, with a high in 1991 of 95 wins.
The 1991 World Series is considered as one of the greatest of all time, as the Twins beat the Atlanta Braves in seven games. Kelly never made the playoffs any other year than 1987 and 1991 and it may be said that Kelly lived off his early career success. So this example maybe the weakest of the bunch, but he did win.
Honorable Mention
Bill Belichick, New England Patriots – Winning three out of four Super Bowls is a elite career. Belichick did it in his first five seasons as a head coach. The 2 time Coach of the Year lead the Patriots to 16-0 last season before losing to the New York Giants.
Lindy Ruff, Buffalo Sabres – In 1997 the Sabres hired Ruff and he quickly took them to the Conference Finals. In second season the Sabres made the Stanley Cup Finals losing to the Dallas Stars in six games. Six times in his ten years as the head coach in Buffalo, the Sabres have made the playoffs. From 2005-07 the team has two 50 min seasons with Ruff winning the Jack Adams Award in 2005-06. His career totals are 397-302.
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