Former NBA center Andrew Bogut, who won a championship with the Warriors in 2015, believes there is something hurting Mark Jackson’s chances at landing another NBA coaching job.
“I think everyone deserves a second chance, and he will eventually get another chance,” Bogut said during an Ask Me Anything session on Reddit. “But the well-noted church within a locker room, I think, hurts his job prospects.”
In May, House of Strauss reported a 2016 ESPN story that was never published contained allegations that Jackson used religious rhetoric to create a divisive environment and promote an “us against them” atmosphere with between players and the front office.
Jackson, 57, had one year remaining on his contract when the Warriors parted ways the former pro as their head coach in 2014. They then hired Steve Kerr, who went on to win NBA championships in 2015, ’17 and ’18.
Bogut played for the Warriors from 2012-16, and returned in 2019. The current team is two wins away from another NBA title, tied with the Celtics 2-2 in the NBA Finals entering Monday’s Game 5.
Jackson coached three seasons in the Bay Area, and had a combined 121-109 record (.526) during his tenure.
The Warriors made the playoffs in his last two years, but Jackson was fired after a 51-31 campaign, in which the Warriors lost to the Clippers in the first round of the NBA playoffs in seven games.
Jackson worked for ESPN before he was hired as head coach of the Warriors, and returned to the network after he was fired. He hasn’t coached in the NBA since.
The former Knick was mentioned in reports this offseason concerning head coaching vacancies. He reportedly interviewed with the Lakers in May, after Los Angeles fired Frank Vogel.
Jackson was reportedly among the finalists for the Sacramento Kings head coach job, which went to Mike Brown. The Kings negotiated a four-year deal with the current Warriors assistant coach.
A former All-Star point guard, Jackson played for multiple teams over seven NBA seasons, including the Knicks. New York drafted the St. John’s product with the 18th overall pick in the 1987 draft. Jackson ranks fifth in NBA career assists all-time.