Dick Motta

Verified Timeline

Lore & Background

Known as a strict disciplinarian with high expectations for his players, Motta developed a reputation for putting together well-conditioned, tough, physical teams. He was known for his eccentric personality and fiery temper, which included throwing his jacket at a referee, kicking a basketball into the stands and throwing a dollar bill onto the court and demanding it to play after a GM traded one of his players for cash considerations. He retired from coaching in 1997 and ran a bed and breakfast with his wife in Bear Lake, Idaho.

In Their Own Story

The tension in Chicago peaked during the 1974–75 Western Conference Finals. After beating the Kansas City Kings to reach the series, the Bulls faced the Golden State Warriors. The series stretched to a grueling seven games, with Motta's team ultimately falling short. This moment defined his era: a regular-season powerhouse that struggled to close out the biggest stages. Two seasons later, following an NBA-worst 24–58 finish in 1975–76, Motta's time in Chicago ended. On August 25, 1976, he was replaced by Ed Badger, concluding a run that saw him coach exactly 656 games over eight seasons. Despite the late-season collapse, his work laid the groundwork for the franchise's future competitiveness.

Reader's Guide

Motta coached the Chicago Bulls from 1968 to 1976, coaching 656 games. From 1971 to 1974 he led the Bulls to four consecutive 50-win seasons, winning the NBA Coach of the Year Award in 1971. The Bulls won just one playoff series (1974) in that span. They advanced to the Western Conference Finals in the 1974–75 season, beating the Kansas City-Omaha Kings to play the Golden State Warriors in a series which they lost in seven games. The team went an NBA-worst 24–58 in 1975–76. He was replaced by Ed Badger on August 25, 1976.

Did You Know?

• Motta is sometimes erroneously credited with coining the phrase 'The opera ain't over 'til the fat lady sings.' The first recorded use was by Texas Tech sports information director Ralph Carpenter in 1976.
• Motta's 1959 Idaho high school state championship team included future NBA head coach Phil Johnson.
• Motta has said that winning the 1959 state championship was his greatest thrill as a coach, even topping the NBA championship he won in 1978.