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Every year, there is one NBA coach who earns the ignominious honor of being the first cast to the unemployment line.
For some, it’s a blessing in disguise. Take Mike Brown, for example: he was the first coach fired during the 2024–25 season, but bounced back to lead the New York Knicks to their first NBA Championship in 53 years the very next season.
For others, like Adrian Griffin, it feels like they might never get another head coaching gig
Here’s the last five NBA coaches to get fired first:
2025-26: Willie Green, New Orleans Pelicans
2024-25: Mike Brown, Sacramento Kings
2023-24: Adrian Griffin, Milwaukee Bucks
2022-23: Steve Nash, Brooklyn Nets
2021-22: Luke Walton, Sacramento Kings
So who gets the pink slip first this season? The oddsmakers at BetOnline Sports & Casino have made Nick Nurse the betting favorite.
The Philadelphia 76ers are under an immense amount of pressure following the blockbuster (and unexpected) additions of LeBron James and Jaylen Brown. Compounding that pressure is the team's new GM, Mike Gansey didn't hire Nurse (that was Daryl Morey).
Comically, Doug Christie sits right behind Nurse in the odds. If Christie gets the ax early, it would mark the third time in six years that Sacramento is the first team to fire their head coach.
First NBA Coach Fired Odds
| Nick Nurse | 4/1 |
| Doug Christie | 5/1 |
| Brian Keefe | 6/1 |
| Ime Udoka | 7/1 |
| Kenny Atkinson | 8/1 |
| Darko Rajakovic | 9/1 |
| Tuoma Lisalo | 11/1 |
| Chris Finch | 12/1 |
| David Adelman | 12/1 |
| Jordi Fernandez | 12/1 |
| Charles Lee | 16/1 |
| Will Hardy | 16/1 |
| Jordan Ott | 18/1 |
| Micah Nori | 18/1 |
| Quin Snyder | 18/1 |
| J.J. Reddick | 20/1 |
| Sean Sweeney | 20/1 |
| Taylor Jenkins | 20/1 |
| Tyronn Lue | 22/1 |
| Dusty May | 25/1 |
| Joe Mazzula | 25/1 |
| Mitch Johnson | 25/1 |
| Jamahl Mosley | 28/1 |
| Rick Carlisle | 33/1 |
| Thiago Splitter | 33/1 |
| Erik Spoelstra | 100/1 |
| J.B. Bickerstaff | 100/1 |
| Mark Daigneault | 100/1 |
| Mike Brown | 100/1 |
| Steve Kerr | 100/1 |
- BetOnline Press
