Erik Spoelstra Coach of the Year
Three-time NBA champion head coach of the Miami Heat.
Erik Jon Spoelstra (born November 1, 1970) is an American professional basketball coach who is the head coach for the Miami Heat of the National Basketball Association (NBA). Nicknamed Spo, he is widely regarded as one of the greatest coaches of all time. He has won three NBA championships with the Heat, including two as the team's head coach. Following the retirement of Gregg Popovich as head coach of the San Antonio Spurs in 2025, and the resignation of head coach Mike Tomlin of the NFL's Pittsburgh Steelers, Spoelstra is currently the longest-tenured active NBA head coach with a single team, and the longest-tenured active head coach in the four major North American sports leagues.
Quick Facts
- Status
- Active (head coach of the Miami Heat as of 2024)
Lore & Background
Spoelstra played college basketball with the Portland Pilots before playing professionally and coaching in Germany. He served as assistant coach and director of scouting for the Heat from 2001 to 2008, during which time the team won the 2006 NBA Finals. Spoelstra was promoted to head coach in the 2008–09 season. The Heat have made six NBA Finals appearances during his tenure, winning consecutive championships in 2012 and 2013, becoming the first Asian American head coach in the four major North American sports leagues to win a championship.
Reader's Guide
Spoelstra was born in Evanston, Illinois, to Jon Spoelstra and Elisa Celino. He attended Jesuit High School in Beaverton, Oregon, and played college basketball at the University of Portland. He began his NBA career as video coordinator for the Miami Heat in 1995, later becoming an assistant coach. He was promoted to head coach in 2008. Spoelstra led the Heat to NBA championships in 2012 and 2013. He is the first Asian American head coach to win an NBA championship.
Did You Know?
- Spoelstra wore number 30 in high school and college in honor of Terry Porter.
- He was on the court when Hank Gathers collapsed and died during a 1990 WCC tournament game.
- Spoelstra initially boxed shoes at a Nike warehouse after college.
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