Best Coach-Player Duos in Sports Right Now
As every sports fan knows, it takes more than just talent and some luck to win a championship, as it takes a couple of Hall of Fame-like leaders to help take a team to the promised land.
Over the years, we've seen coach-player duos that have defined eras and helped build legacies, leaving a mark on the sports the tandems played in.
While there have been plenty over the years, here are the top 20 in sports right now—which is sure to spark some debate.
Erik Spoelstra-Dwyane Wade
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OK, so the championship years are, more than likely, behind them, but what Dwyane Wade and head coach Erik Spoelstra have accomplished together in the past is noteworthy stuff.
Since Spo took over the Miami Heat in 2008, the team has gone to the playoffs in all but one season and enjoyed a four-year streak in which they played in the NBA Finals—even if Wade played second fiddle to LeBron James during those trips.
Wade, who is a Heat lifer and has won three rings, will always be remembered for his time with Spoelstra, which is fitting given their success.
Gary Patterson-Trevone Boykin
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Trevone Boykin, head coach Gary Patterson and the TCU Horned Frogs are, once again, in the mix for the College Football Playoff this season. A lot of it has to do with how Boykin has evolved into a pure, dual-threat quarterback in the past few seasons.
Making the transition from athlete to signal-caller isn't always an easy one, but Patterson should be credited with Boykin's success since the start of the 2014 season, nurturing him into one of the best players in college football.
Together, the Patterson-Boykin duo have gone 20-1 the past two years, with a real chance at both a national title and, potentially, a Heisman Trophy for Boykin to end his career at TCU.
Gregg Marshal-Ron Baker/Fred VanVleet
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If it seems like Wichita State Shockers' players Ron Baker and Fred VanVleet have been on the team forever, you're not alone.
As part of the Shockers team that enjoyed a Final Four trip in 2013 as freshman, the duo has teamed up with head coach Gregg Marshall to turn the Wichita State program from mid-major to a national power, following the Final Four appearance up with an undefeated regular season as sophomores.
With a record of 95-15 with these two players on the court—and set for another big year as seniors—Marshall, Baker and VanVleet hope that there's a storybook ending to great careers.
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Doc Rivers-Chris Paul
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Sure, Chris Paul and head coach Doc Rivers wish they would have already had a championship banner glowing down on them from the rafters in the Staples Center by now, but the failure to end a season with a title doesn't take away anything that they've accomplished together.
Since Rivers took the Clips job in 2013, the team has gone from a decent team to a real contender, with Paul being the catalyst of it all and helping young stars Blake Griffin and DeAndre Jordan continue to improve.
Combining for a total of 113 wins in their first two seasons together, this may be the year that the Clips take the next step and reach the NBA Finals—where they have as good a chance as anybody of winning it all.
Marvin Lewis-Andy Dalton
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These aren't your same old Cincinnati Bengals, guys.
Thanks to the duo of Marvin Lewis and Andy Dalton in the past four-plus years, the team has reached the postseason in each season—albeit, getting bounced in the Wild Card Game each time.
Currently sitting at 7-0 in 2015, Cincy has evolved into a Super Bowl contender with a solid defense and consistent passing game, with Lewis continuing to groom Dalton with the hopes of becoming a championship-level quarterback.
In the NFL, success is built on the relationship between head coach and quarterback, and there are few any better than the duo in Cincinnati right now.
Mark Few-Kyle Wiltjer
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When Kyle Wiltjer began his college hoops career as a highly touted player at the University of Kentucky, he quickly learned that McDonald's All-Americans are a dime a dozen in Lexington, with the player struggling to find his role with the Wildcats.
Knowing he needed a change of scenery to make a name for himself, he transferred to Gonzaga to team up with head coach Mark Few. It's safe to say the decision has paid off for both.
Transforming his game from a tall guy who could shoot into a true stretch 4, Wiltjer evolved into a star last season for the Bulldogs, averaging 16.8 points and 6.2 rebound per game while shooting 54 percent from the field—which included 46.6 percent from three-point range.
The two helped guide the Zags to 35 wins last season and a Sweet 16 berth in the NCAA tourney, but the goal is a Final Four this season—and they've proved to be a dynamic duo who could get there.
Michel Therrien-P.K. Subban
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Over the past three years or so, Montreal Canadiens defensemen P.K. Subban has turned himself into a budding star, helping his team reach the postseason in each of the past three seasons.
With Subban's evolution from hothead into full-grown leader, life has become a little bit easier for Habs head coach Michel Therrien, who, since taking over the squad in 2012, has seen his wins increase over the past three years, too, as the team becomes legit Stanley Cup contenders.
The growth of both player and coach is a welcome sight in Montreal, and with the team's strong start to this season, the future is bright with these two together.
Clint Hurdle-Andrew McCutchen
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It's no coincidence that the season Pittsburgh Pirates outfielder Andrew McCutchen won the NL Most Valuable Player Award, 2013, was also the first time in 20 years that the team reached the postseason.
That's because Cutch's transformation to All-Star on a bad team into superstar on a perennial playoff team was helped by the guidance of manager Clint Hurdle, who had enjoyed similar success with young stars when he was the manager of the Colorado Rockies.
While Hurdle's Rockies team reached the World Series in 2007, the Pirates have given themselves a chance for similar success, averaging 93 wins and making the playoffs in each of the past three years.
Time will tell how the legacy of these two will end.
Mark Dantonio-Connor Cook
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Back during the 2013 college football season, the Michigan State Spartans' Connor Cook was a wide-eyed quarterback who was told to manage the game and not make a mistake.
Cook followed the orders of head coach Mark Dantonio quite well, guiding the Spartans to a Rose Bowl victory and instantly turning the entire MSU football program into an annual national-title contender.
Of course, a lot of that has to do with Dantonio, who has coached up Cook from game manager to future first-round NFL pick, as the duo has, once again, put Sparty in position for double-digit wins and the chance at the College Football Playoff.
Steve Kerr-Steph Curry
10 of 20Its only been one season, but the relationship between reigning NBA MVP Steph Curry and head coach Steve Kerr is already as strong as nearly any in the league.
Kerr, who was a lethal shooter during his NBA days, routinely takes part in competitions with his superstar after practice, keeping things loose and allowing Curry free rein to do whatever he needs to in order to lead the Golden State Warriors to victory.
After winning 67 regular-season games in 2014 and ending their first year together with a championship, these two hope that there are many more championship opportunities together in the years that follow.
Mike Tomlin-Ben Roethlisberger
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There may have been questions and doubts when the Pittsburgh Steelers hired Mike Tomlin as their head coach in 2007, but he silenced people by guiding the team to a wild-card berth in his first season and a Super Bowl victory in his second.
Teaming up with quarterback Ben Roethlisberger, the duo has led Pittsburgh to three playoff appearances since, which included another Super Bowl appearance in 2010, proving that they're quite the pair.
With such success together, the Roethlisberger-Tomlin duo might remind some in the Steel City of another great QB-coach duo from the team's past—Terry Bradshaw and Chuck Knoll—who won four Super Bowls together.
Mike Krzyzewski-Grayson Allen
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Coming into last season as a freshman, the Duke Blue Devils were littered with potential stars like Jahlil Okafor and Justise Winslow. But, in the national title game, it was another former McDonald's All-American who made a name for himself.
That player was Grayson Allen, who came off the bench to score 16 points in 21 minutes, helping the Dukies beat Wisconsin for the national title.
While Allen waited for the last game of the season for his breakout party, Duke coach Mike Krzyzewski knows what he has in Allen, which will see the guard become a team leader in this upcoming campaign in the quest to repeat.
Mike Matheny-Yadier Molina
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Since 2012 when Mike Matheny first took over as manager of the St. Louis Cardinals, the team has reached the postseason in each season, which included a World Series trip during the 2013 campaign.
And while baseball is a team game, the relationship between Matheny, a former catcher, and the All-Star who plays the position for his current team, Yadier Molina, has been one that has been the most impactful on the Cards' success.
St. Louis fell short of its goal at a World Series title during the 2015 season—one in which it won an MLB-leading 100 games—but with Matheny and Molina together, the team has two leaders who will continue to be in position at championships.
Pete Carroll-Russell Wilson
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When the Seattle Seahawks selected quarterback Russell Wilson in the third round of the 2012 NFL draft, no one believed that the undersized player would become the player he is today.
That would be a perennial Pro Bowler who has won 40 games as a starter since entering the league, starting from the first regular season game to today and taking his team to three playoff appearances and back-to-back Super Bowls.
A lot of the trust and confidence that Wilson has comes from his relationship with head coach Pete Carroll, whose positive and laid-back attitude seems to fit Wilson well, giving him the opportunities to thrive.
Seattle is off to a slow start in 2015, but these two have a special bond that should keep every other team wary based off their track record.
Vicente del Bosque-Andres Iniesta
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In his 24 matches as head coach of the Spanish national team, Vicente del Bosque has guided the team to an unbelievable 21-2-1 record, which includes two Euro championships and a World Cup title in 2010.
While a lot of that has come on the shoulders of goalkeeper Iker Casillas, who wears the captain's armband for La Roja, there's no denying that the playmaking ability and creativity of Andres Iniesta has been a driving force to the offensive success.
Iniesta is the leader of the Spanish team on the pitch in terms of pace and guidance, and a lot of that ability comes from his communication with Del Bosque.
Tom Coughlin-Eli Manning
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The past few years have been a bit tough for the New York Giants' duo of Eli Manning and Tom Coughlin, but a few failed seasons doesn't take away what they've accomplished in the past 11 years together.
With two Super Bowl titles—both as underdogs against the New England Patriots—Manning and Coughlin have become icons in New York, as the coach is the only leader Eli has known since breaking into the league as the No. 1 overall pick in 2004.
It seems like the G-Men always have some sort of drama, but it's up to Coughlin and Manning to silence the outside whispers as best they can, which is a testament to their relationship and understanding of each other.
Joel Quenneville-Patrick Kane
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In the past six-plus seasons, there hasn't been an NHL team as dominant as the Chicago Blackhawks, as they've reached the playoffs each year and have won three Stanley Cup titles in that span.
There have been a number of factors in those years, but the development of Patrick Kane is one of the most obvious, as head coach Joel Quenneville has leaned on his superstar to take the reins of the entire franchise and direct his teammates to reach great heights.
A good head coach prior to teaming up with Kane in Chicago, Quenneville has evolved into a potential Hall of Famer thanks to his accomplishments with the Hawks.
Bruce Bochy-Buster Posey
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Much like the aforementioned Chicago Blackhawks pairing of Joel Quenneville and Patrick Kane, the San Francisco Giants have seen similar success thanks to their dynamic duo of catcher Buster Posey and manager Bruce Bochy—who have guided the team to three World Series titles in the past six seasons.
With catcher being one of the most mentally demanding positions in baseball, Bochy has found one of the best in the game, as Posey has won a league MVP and taken command of the pitching staff as the leader on the field.
If the current trend for the Giants continues, expect these two to be celebrating a fourth championship together this time next year—after all, they seem to have a penchant for doing so in even-numbered years.
Bill Belichick-Tom Brady
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As we all know, luck plays a major part in the the destiny of both an athlete and a franchise—and New England Patriots fans should cherish theirs with the Tom Brady and Bill Belichick pairing.
We all know Brady's story: a former sixth-rounder who got installed as the team's starter following an injury to incumbent quarterback Drew Bledsoe, only to become the face of the franchise since by winning four Super Bowls in six tries.
One of the best to ever play the position, the relationship and similarities between Brady and his head coach are eerie, with both being as coy and nondescript as possible when it comes to showing their hand to the media and opposing teams.
Arguably the greatest player-coach duo in NFL history, these two have the Pats on a collision course towards another Super Bowl in 2015—and no one should be surprised if they achieve it.
Gregg Popovich-Tim Duncan
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In the history of player-coach duos, there might not be one better than the San Antonio Spurs' Tim Duncan and Gregg Popovich—across all sports.
Sure, the 18 straight playoff appearances, 50-plus wins in 17 of those 18 seasons and, of course, five NBA titles are nice, but the father-son-like relationship that Pop and Duncan have is what separates these two from others in sports.
Duncan, who has continued to show that he's the greatest power forward to ever play even as he's aged, has Pop to thank for the guidance and tough love over the years.
With a roster constructed to contend for yet another championship, don't be surprised if these two end up on a podium in June hoisting another Larry O'Brien Trophy. It has sort of become a common theme at this point.
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