Mike Brown New York Knicks Graphic c: NBA

Men's Basketball

USD Alumnus Mike Brown ('93) Named New York Knicks Head Coach

Former Torero hooper, four-time NBA Champion, and two-time coach of the year has history of success

NEW YORK – University of San Diego alumnus Mike Brown (’93) was named the head coach of one of the NBA’s most storied franchises, the New York Knicks on Monday, July 7. 

 

Brown played for the Toreros Men’s Basketball program from 1990-92 for Hank Egan and began his NBA career under the tutelage of fellow USD graduate and former NBA head coach Bernie Bickerstaff. Since then, in 25 years in the NBA he’s led three different franchises, collected two league coach of the year honors and won four NBA Championships.

USD played a fundamental role in my development as a young man and eventually as an NBA coach. I have tremendous gratitude for the opportunity to play under Hall of Famer Hank Egan, most importantly just because he is just an outstanding person who taught me so many life lessons.
Mike Brown

Brown, 55, played two years at USD for Egan after transferring from Mesa Community College. It was Egan who introduced Brown to Bickerstaff; allowing Brown to get his start in the NBA. He is one of five former Torero hoopers to become an NBA head coach, joining Bickerstaff (’66), Eric Musselman (’87), David Fizdale (’96) and James Borrego (’01).

Mike Brown Action Sho
Brown during his playing days as a Torero in the early 90's
The valued relationships that USD produces, led me to start my career under Bernie Bickerstaff. I will always appreciate that first opportunity and the door that he opened to NBA coaching while taking me under his wing. His loyalty, friendship, and mentorship exemplifies the impact that USD has had on my life and makes me a proud Torero.
Mike Brown

In 1993 Brown earned a degree from USD in Business Finance. As a senior at USD in 1991-92, Brown started in 19 of 28 games, averaging 7.6 points and 3.1 rebounds. He deserved the team's Bugelli Leadership Award and was also a recipient of the Zable Athletic Excellence Award.

Mike Brown Steve Lavin 2022 in Sacramento
Mike Brown greets USD Head Coach Steve Lavin during a team visit to Sacramento in 2024 while Brown was coaching the Kings

From 1997-99 Brown was an assistant for the Washington Wizards under Bickerstaff. Brown spent 2000-03 with the San Antonio Spurs with Hall of Famer Gregg Popovich – it was there that he won his first of four NBA titles, in 2003. In two seasons with the Indiana Pacers, Brown helped his team to another conference final in 2004. 

 

He merited his first head coach opportunity in 2005 in Cleveland and led the Cavaliers to their first playoffs with recently drafted phenom by the name of LeBron James. Brown led the team to five straight NBA Playoffs second rounds and as far as the NBA Finals in 2007. In 2009, he won NBA Coach of the Year after guiding the Cavs to a 66-16 regular season record, which still stands as the franchise’s best. Brown was also a head coach in the ’09 NBA All-Star Game.

 

Brown commanded a star-studded Los Angeles Lakers team from 2011-12 before returning to Cleveland as head coach of the Cavaliers the ensuing two seasons. In 2016 he began a new opportunity with the Golden State Warriors, serving as associate and acting head coach in different periods including the first 12 games of the 2016-17 playoffs (12-0) that led to an NBA Championship and the best playoff record of all time at 16-1. The dynastic Warriors also won the NBA titles in 2018 and 2022.

 

Brown also added ‘Olympic Head Coach’ to his résumé after leading the Nigerian Men’s National Team at the 2020 Tokyo Summer Games. He earned another head coaching role in spring 2022, being appointed to lead the Sacramento Kings. In his inaugural season in California’s capital, he led the Kings to their first playoff appearance since 2006 and collected his second NBA Coach of the Year honor. In his third season there, Brown was dismissed on Dec. 27, 2024. 

Our goal is to build a sustainable, winning culture. I’m fortunate to know what it takes to create that success.
Mike Brown during Tuesday's introductory press conference

In his tenure, Brown has coached the likes of LeBron James, Kobe Bryant, Tim Duncan and Stephen Curry. The Knicks are one of the league’s most historic franchises but have not won a championship since 1973 and have not won a conference title since the turn of the century. 

 

Brown plans to attend USD Basketball's Coaches Clinic set for Aug. 9 in the newly opened Basketball Performance Center alongside other Torero hoops alum coaches Fizdale, Borrego, Beth Burns and Lindsay Gottlieb.