NBA Coach of the Year rankings, odds: Why theres a ...

What’s Happening

Not gonna lie, The Hornets, Suns, Spurs, Celtics and Pistons have all overachieved this season…

So which coach deserves the honor? NBA Coach of the Year rankings, odds: Why there’s a clear favorite in season of surprises The Hornets, Suns, Spurs, Celtics and Pistons have all overachieved this season… (wild, right?)

By John Gonzalez Mar 2, 2026 at 1:14 pm ET • 7 min read Pat Riley just lamented the state of sideline fashion in the NBA as it pertains to coaches.

The Details

He wants them to go back to wearing suits instead of the athleisure look that was adopted during the pandemic and became the unofficial dress code. It’s a pretty solid old-guy-shakes-fist-at-cloud take from someone who not that long ago joked about being washed .

Besides, he’s a coaching legend who’s earned the right to weigh in on these specific matters. But, like a lot of people who are not coaches , Herro felt compelled to give his opinion about Riley’s opinion.

Why This Matters

Like Riley, Herro wants coaches to go back to wearing suits. “Make the coaches do a little bit more,” he offered, “dress a little harder, put some swag into it. ” This from someone who might benefit from putting a little less swag into it.

Sports analysts are already debating what this means for the competition.

Key Takeaways

• (The spacesuit-meets-sweatsuit and orange vegan leather looks were something.
• ) But it’s the “do a little bit more” part that rankles.
• Coaches have it rough enough as it is without having to worry about the fashion police.

The Bottom Line

In honor of what can be a difficult job, we’re going to rank the five coaches who appear to be in the running for 2026 NBA Coach of the Year honors as the regular season winds down. (deadass awards show presenter voice] here are the nominees for excellence in coaching this season.

What do you think about all this?