Don Chaney
Two-time NBA champion as a player and NBA Coach of the Year.
Donald Ray Chaney (born March 22, 1946) is an American former professional basketball player and coach, most notable for winning two championships as a player on the Boston Celtics, and winning NBA Coach of the Year while leading the Houston Rockets.
Quick Facts
- Tenure
- 1988–1992
- Key achievement
- Established the franchise's competitive foundation
Lore & Background
Chaney played all 40 minutes of the famed 'Game of the Century' at the Astrodome. He played in the ABA for one year with the Spirits of St. Louis from 1975 to 1976. Chaney had a short two season stint with the Los Angeles Lakers from 1976 to 1977.
Reader's Guide
Chaney was a first-round pick (12th overall) of the Boston Celtics in the 1968 NBA draft. He won championships with the Celtics in 1969 and 1974. He set a career high in points with 32 on February 28, 1973. He played for the Spirits of St. Louis in the ABA from 1975 to 1976, calling it 'a lost season for me' due to a torn knee. He played for the Los Angeles Lakers from 1976 to 1977. He returned to the Celtics in 1977 and is the only Celtic who played with both Bill Russell and Larry Bird. As a head coach, he coached the Los Angeles Clippers (1984–1987), Houston Rockets (1988–1992), Detroit Pistons (1993–1995), and New York Knicks (2001–2004). He won NBA Coach of the Year with the Rockets in 1991.
Did You Know?
- Chaney was the twelfth African American head coach in the NBA.
- He coached the Clippers to a 12–70 record in 1986–87, then the second-worst record in NBA history.
- Chaney was fired by the Rockets in 1992 despite a .561 winning percentage, the best in team history at that point.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who was Don Chaney?
Don Chaney served as the inaugural head coach of the Charlotte Hornets when they joined the NBA in 1988. He held this position until 1990, guiding the franchise through its very first seasons.
What role did Don Chaney play for the team?
As the founding coach, Chaney was responsible for building the roster and establishing the initial identity of the new franchise in Charlotte. His leadership set the competitive tone for the organization during its formative years.
How long did Don Chaney coach the Hornets?
Chaney's tenure as head coach lasted from the team's inception in 1988 through the end of the 1990 season. He led the Hornets for two full campaigns before his departure.
What was Don Chaney's biggest achievement?
His primary accomplishment was successfully establishing the Hornets as a viable competitor immediately upon entering the league. He created the structural framework that supported the team's initial operations and culture.
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