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May 19 2009
Top 10 pro coaches not in the NBA
By PBN Staff
Pro Basketball News

1. Steve Tucker, Southeast Texas Mustangs - ABA

The veteran coach paid his dues over the years, having coached in the CBA and at the college level. He is considered one of the best teachers in the minors, as his Mustangs won 25 straight games, finished 27-2 and were ranked No. 1 in the ABA power rankings for 11 straight weeks.

2. Bryan Gates, Idaho Stampede - NBADL

Gates is one of the brightest young coaches in the pro game -- anywhere. He led the Stampede to a D-League championship in 2008 and is on many NBA GM's radar today.

3. Michael Ray Richardson, Lawton-Fort Sills Cavalry - CBA

The former NBA All-Star had his share of personal issues as a player, but has overcome it all to become a top-notch coach, having led the Cavalry to back-to-back championships.

4. Rod Baker, Rochester Razorsharks - PBL

Another guy who is often overlooked, all Baker does is win. His Razorsharks have won back-to-back PBL titles -- and two before that as members of the ABA.

5. Bob MacKinnon, Colorado 14ers - NBADL

The veteran coach just led the 14ers to the D-League title in his first season. Another guy who is considered a great teacher of the game.

6. Kevin Keathley, East Kentucky Miners - CBA

One of the youngest head coaches in pro basketball, Keathley is also quickly becoming recognized as one of the best. He built the Miners from the ground up into one of the best franchises in all of the minors.

7. Will Voigt, Vermont Frost Heaves - PBL

Voigt led the Frost Heaves to two ABA championships and into the PBL playoffs this past season, establishing himself as a guy who wins wherever his team goes.

8. Duane Ticknor, Dakota Wizards - NBADL

The all-time winningest coach in the old IBA is proving his success was no fluke in the D-League. Should be NBA-bound soon.

9. Terry Sare, Battle Creek Knights - PBL

Sare is considered an inspirational leader who treats his players like his own kids. He led the Knights to the finals in their first PBL season, and to the best regular-season record this past year.

10. Brad Jones, Utah Flash - NBADL

Another guy considered to be on the rise in the pro coaching ranks, Jones led the Flash to the D-League's best regular-season record and a berth in the Finals.

Honorable mention

Quin Snyder, Austin Toros - NBADL; Derrick Rowland, Albany Patroons - CBA; Otis Key, Kentucky Bisons - ABA; Rob Spon, Manchester Millrats - PBL; Jan Van Breda Kolff, Nashville Broncs - ABA; Nick Nurse, Iowa Energy - NBADL.

Note: PBN's list of the Top 10 pro coaches not in the NBA was compiled by a committee of minor league basketball coaches and administrators.


PRESS RELEASE Effective Immediately For More Information, contact: Don “Moose” Lewis, Commissioner All-American Basketball Alliance @ 404/ 808-9268 email office@AllAmericanBasketball.com All-American Basketball Alliance Announces June 13, 2010 Start ! (Atlanta, Georgia) ( January 19, 2010)- The All-American Basketball Alliance, known as "the AABA", is pleased to announce the start of their regular season beginning June 13, 2010. Markets in the Southern are initially targeted for teams. Qualified team owners, designated as “Licensees” are sought for the following markets including Atlanta, Georgia ; Albany, Georgia ; Augusta, Georgia ; Johnson City, Tennessee ; Chattanooga, Tennessee ; Wilson, North Carolina, Hickory, North Carolina ; Greenville, North Carolina ; Emerald Isle, North Carolina ; Jacksonville, Florida; Hilton Head, South Carolina ; and Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. Other cities will be considered based on qualifications of prospective Team Licensees. All games will be taped for television for showing at a later date as well as material for an upcoming documentary. The All-American Basketball Alliance, formed as a "branded" professional basketball league designed to be "fan friendly" and "fan affordable", will be a showcase for players that are not only rookies but also seasoned professionals. It has come to the attention of the principals of the AABA that white basketball players are essentially “shut out” of conventional professional basketball due to the proliferation of non-organized play on the court. With players on other professional teams carrying guns, attacking fans in the stands, and going through the motions of playing the game, fundamentally sound white players are a vanishing species. Fans have spoken to the AABA asking to restore on court sanity to the game of basketball. Their pleas are our mission. Only players that are natural born United States citizens with both parents of Caucasian race are eligible to play in the league. The AABA has the option of having player contracts "transferred" to another team such as the NBA or overseas professional leagues. There will be a thirty-six (36) game schedule along with one (1) rounds of playoffs. Players will wear conventional uniforms and shoes from a bygone era. The majority of each team will be made up of "territorial" players from local colleges with the balance being free agents. Local tryouts will be held shortly in each "AABA" team city. The AABA was formed as a Limited Liability Company with the Managing Partner being the Global Basketball Alliance. Players and coaches receive a percentage of the live gate and season ticket sales. Team Licensees pay only a league licensing fee along with a television production package instead of the customary large franchise/membership fees due to the league being organized as a single entity. For more information on team participation, player tryouts, coaching opportunities, and other positions, please contact the corporate office.
By: moose lewis 01/17/10 03:05pm
Is there a list similar to this one for the top minor league players?
By: Frank 06/03/09 06:11am
Congrats to all coach's on list. I watched alot of PBL games this coach Sare did a outstanding job with the team he had no one was over 6'9 and they were the top of reg season. he also coach with Rod Baker so it would be nice to see both of them in the NBA some day
By: throwbacks 123 05/23/09 04:28pm
That Bryan Gates is a up and moving coach. I have seen him at several games. He never stops coaching during the game. Never played college ball, but neither did the great Kentucky coach of days gone by.
By: R L Curtis 05/22/09 08:24pm
Ticknor should have been much higher on the list..should have been above Voight and Baker..Excellent coaches list though
By: Minor Fan 05/19/09 08:58am
Great stuff. Much respect to these coaches. Makes me wonder why other former players trying to coach don't cut their teeth in the minor leagues. It would be invaluable experience. Proud of Michael Ray Richardson for getting his life together and helping others get better.
By: Jed 05/19/09 06:56am
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