Will Mark Jackson Coach in the NBA Again?

Steve Kerr propelled the Golden State Warriors to an unprecedented period of NBA dominance when he took over in 2014. As a result, it can be easy to forget Mark Jackson, who laid the foundations in San Francisco.

Mark Jackson, currently working as an ESPN analyst, coached the Warriors from 2011 to 2014. In that period Golden State went from a lottery team to a postseason contender. 

Mark Jackson believes that he will coach in the NBA again, despite suggestions that he has been blackballed from the league.

Jackson’s beliefs on religion and gay marrriage were a source of contention during his coaching career. Particularly because a gay Warriors executive played a leading role in the franchise at the time.

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Former Warriors guard Andre Iguodala explained the controversy to The Breakfast Club last June.

“One particular issue was [Jackson’s] views on gender or marriage or what the bible says on your sexuality,” Iguodala said. “The head of our business Rick Welts … he’s celebrated as one of the top execs in sports, on the business side, and he’s gay, so there was conflicts with that that was widespread.”

Despite this, Iguodala still holds Jackson in high esteem as one of the best coaches he’s played for.

“Jackson was one of my favorite coaches of all time. He was going to put you in the best position to make the most money. There was players that got paid because of him that shouldn’t have gotten paid.”

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“I truly believe that the day will come when I have the opportunity to walk the sidelines again and lead a basketball team,” Jackson said. 

“For three years in Golden State, I had the time of my life impacting players, developing relationships and changing a culture. I truly was blessed to do that, and I look forward to the opportunity to do it again.”