Kenny Atkinson wins NBCA Coach of the Year after leading Cleveland Cavaliers to East’s top seed and record-breaking season

When Kenny Atkinson stepped into the Cleveland Cavaliers’ head coaching job in June 2024, expectations were modest. The team had playoff talent but hadn’t cracked the upper tier of the Eastern Conference. Fast forward to April 2025, and Atkinson has not only guided the Cavaliers to a 64–18 record and the East’s top seed—he’s earned the ultimate nod of approval from his peers. On Saturday, the National Basketball Coaches Association named him the 2025 recipient of the Michael H. Goldberg NBCA Coach of the Year Award.

Cleveland Cavaliers’ rise under Kenny Atkinson has been nothing short of remarkable. In his debut campaign, the Cavaliers reeled off a 15–0 start to the season—the best beginning ever by a first-year coach with a new team. They also became just the second franchise in NBA history to post three separate winning streaks of 12 games or more in the same year.
Speaking through the NBCA’s official release on Saturday, Atkinson reflected on the journey: “Coaching the game of basketball has been an amazing journey for me and my family. To be recognized by my peers for a job well done this season is extremely humbling.”
What happened in Cleveland wasn’t just about win totals—it was about how they won. The Cavs evolved into a high-octane force, leading the NBA in points per game (121.9), offensive rating (121.0), and effective field goal percentage (57.8). They were second in three-point accuracy (38.3%) and field goal percentage (49.1%), while ranking third in net rating (9.2).

The NBCA award, announced on April 19, 2025, is voted on solely by NBA head coaches. That’s what gives it extra weight. It’s recognition from the very people who understand the grind, the planning, and the pressure that comes with leading a team through 82 games.

“Kenny Atkinson has long been respected by his peers as an innovative and humble servant to the game,” said NBCA President and Indiana Pacers head coach Rick Carlisle in a written statement.
Atkinson wasn’t the only name to earn votes; J.B. Bickerstaff of the Detroit Pistons, Mark Daigneault of the Oklahoma City Thunder, Michael Malone of the Denver Nuggets, and Ime Udoka of the Houston Rockets were also acknowledged.
Still, it was Atkinson’s 16-win improvement that stood out, second only to J.B. Bickerstaff’s massive jump with Detroit Pistons.

When asked about his success, Atkinson deflected the spotlight to the people around him. On Saturday, he emphasized the team effort behind Cleveland’s breakthrough season: “I’m also grateful to our assistant coaches and support staff, whose tireless work ethic allows me to coach to my highest potential,” he said. “I must give a ton of credit to Koby Altman for assembling the collection of talent we have in Cleveland. A special thank you as well to Dan Gilbert for consistently providing incredible resources and assistance in our chase for NBA Championships.”
NBCA Executive Director David Fogel echoed the sentiment, saying, “Coach Atkinson’s hard work, dedication to his players, and ability to empower, led the Cavs to one of the greatest regular seasons by a coach in their first season with a new team.”
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The media-voted NBA Coach of the Year will be announced later during the 2025 playoffs. But with the respect of every head coach in the league, Atkinson has already claimed one of the game’s most meaningful honors.