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Phil Jackson

Phil Jackson is an American former professional basketball player, coach, and executive best known for winning 11 NBA championships as a head coach, the most in league history.

By Ethan Anderson| Reviewed by Olivia Bennett, Standards & Fact-Checking Lead| Updated July 26, 2026|2 min read| Fact-checked

Phil Jackson is an American former professional basketball player, coach, and executive best known for winning 11 NBA championships as a head coach, the most in league history. He also won two NBA titles as a player and was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 2007.

Early life and playing career

Jackson was born in Deer Lodge, Montana, and played college basketball at the University of North Dakota. He was drafted by the New York Knicks in 1967 and later played for the New Jersey Nets before retiring as a player in 1980.

Coaching career

Jackson became one of the most successful coaches in NBA history, leading the Chicago Bulls to six championships and the Los Angeles Lakers to five. His teams were known for disciplined play and the triangle offense.

Executive career

After coaching, Jackson became president of basketball operations for the New York Knicks in 2014. His executive role was a later phase of his basketball career rather than the source of his main public reputation.

Legacy

Jackson is widely regarded as one of the greatest coaches in basketball history. He is noted for his championship record, his postseason success, and his distinctive philosophical approach to coaching.

Key facts

  • Won 11 NBA championships as a head coach, the most in NBA history.
  • Won two NBA championships as a player with the New York Knicks.
  • Coached the Chicago Bulls and Los Angeles Lakers to multiple titles.
  • Was inducted into the Basketball Hall of Fame in 2007.
  • Known for his use of the triangle offense and an unusual coaching style influenced by Eastern philosophy.
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Canadian context

Phil Jackson’s career is relevant to Canadian readers through NBA history, especially the league’s broader North American audience and the many Canadian fans who followed the Bulls and Lakers dynasties.

Frequently asked questions

Who is Phil Jackson?
Phil Jackson is an American former NBA player, coach, and executive known for his record 11 championships as a head coach.
How many championships did Phil Jackson win?
He won 13 NBA championships in total: two as a player and 11 as a coach.
Which teams did Phil Jackson coach?
He coached the Chicago Bulls and Los Angeles Lakers in the NBA.
When was Phil Jackson inducted into the Hall of Fame?
He was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 2007.
What position did Phil Jackson play?
He played as a power forward.
What is Phil Jackson known for as a coach?
He is known for his record number of NBA titles and for using the triangle offense.

References

  1. Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame — https://www.hoophall.com/hall-of-famers/phil-jackson
    Supports: Birth date, birthplace, Hall of Fame induction, coaching record, championships, coaching philosophy
  2. Basketball-Reference — https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/j/jacksph01.html
    Supports: Playing position, draft details, playing career, statistics, last played year, championships as a player
  3. Encyclopaedia Britannica — https://www.britannica.com/biography/Phil-Jackson
    Supports: Biographical overview, American player/coach/executive status, championship record
  4. Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Phil_Jackson
    Supports: Summary biographical facts, total championships, record as a coach, executive role