Birth Name: Philip Douglas Jackson
Birthdate: September 17, 1945
Birthplace: Deer Lodge, Montana
Family:
- Twice divorced
- Has five children
- Is the son of ministers
Height: 6’8”
Weight: 230 lbs
Phil Jackson Career History:
- Ended his long and successful tenure with the Los Angeles Lakers and was replaced as head coach by Mike Brown (2011)
- Returned as head coach of the Los Angeles Lakers after a hiatus (2005)
- Declined an offer to become Vice President of the Los Angeles Lakers
- Stepped down as LA Lakers coach (2004)
- Took over as head coach of the Los Angeles Lakers (1999)
- Took time off from coaching (1998)
- Became head coach of the Chicago Bulls (1989)
- Was assistant coach of the Chicago Bulls (1987)
- Coached the Albany team in the Continental Basketball Association (1986-87)
- Retired from playing but remained assistant coach (one season) and became team broadcaster (1980)
- Was traded to the New Jersey Nets where he also became assistant coach (1978)
- Joined the New York Knicks as a second-round draft choice (1967)
Star Basketball Players Coached by Phil Jackson:
- Michael Jordan
- Scottie Pippen
- Shaquille O’Neal
- Kobe Bryant
- Dennis Rodman
Books by Jackson (as author and co-author):
- The Last Season: A Team in Search of its Soul
- More Than a Game
- The Gospel According to Phil
- Sacred Hoops: Spiritual Lessons of a Hardwood Warrior
- Maverick
Distinctions and Honors:
- Led the Lakers to a win over the Boston Celtics in the 2010 NBA Championship
- After winning the Lakers/Magic 2008-9 championship series in five games, he beat Red Auerbach, who won nine N.B.A. titles (1950 to 1966) for the Boston Celtics
- As head coach, he has won eleven NBA titles
- Had the distinction of being the highest paid coach in NBA history at $10 million (as of 2007)
- Led the Chicago Bulls to three consecutive NBA championships (1989-90)
- Led the Los Angeles Lakers to three consecutive title wins in his first three seasons (2000-2001)
- Holds records for his winning percentages in regular and playoff seasons of .724 and .718
- Has won more National Basketball Association championships than any coach in league history
Signatures:
- Uses unorthodox teaching methods which involve Eastern spirituality approaches to motivation, blending Zen Buddhism principles and teachings from the Lakota Sioux
- Introduced the 'triangle offense' (a technique which includes perpetual motion and pass and cut options); first became known for this when he was head coach of the Chicago Bulls
Career NBA Record: 832 wins and 316 losses during regular season; his .725 winning percentage has been the best in NBA annals.
Nicknames:
- Zen Master
- Bones
- PJ
- Head and Shoulders
- Action Jackson
Selected TV Show Appearances by Phil Jackson:
- Dog Whisperer with Cesar Millan (2008)
- The Apprentice (2007)
Phil Jackson’s Philosophy:
When a single player surrenders self-interest for the ‘greater good,’ he manifests his fullest athletic gifts
“Selflessness is the soul of teamwork”-Phil Jackson
Phil Jackson Quote:
“Basketball is a sport that involves the subtle interweaving of players at full speed to the point where they are thinking and moving as one.”
