Who's The Greatest Coach In Atlanta Hawks History?

In this series, we’ll take a look at the illustrious list of head coaches in each NBA franchise’s history. To make a case for ‘greatest coach,’ we’ll look at win-loss record, player development, and (most importantly) team accomplishments under that coach’s tutelage.

The Atlanta Hawks hold a special place in the hearts of fans across generations. In the 50s and 60s, the Hawks (then based in St. Louis) were one of the best teams in the league, thanks to players like Bob Pettit (the first-ever recipient of the NBA MVP award), Cliff Hagan, and Clyde Lovellette. Then, in the 80s, the high-flying exploits of Dominique Wilkins captivated even more viewers as the league’s popularity rose through cable TV expansion.

On the other hand, the Hawks also hold the dubious distinction of having one of the longest championship droughts in league history. Since Pettit led the team to the NBA title in 1958, the Hawks have never conquered the mountaintop again.

Throughout the decades, a number of head coaches have unleashed their tactical prowess in an effort to bring the Hawks back to the NBA Finals. Can any of them make a case for being superior to the architect behind the 1958 title conquest? Or does the late Alex Hannum have a lock on the title of greatest Hawks coach ever?

To say that Alex Hannum was versatile is an understatement. The World War II veteran was named the playing coach of the Hawks in the middle of the 1956-57 season. A year later, his Hawks squad (bannered by Pettit and Hagan) was squaring off against the Boston Celtics and conquering the NBA Finals.

Before Mike Fratello embraced the role of astute TV commentator, he was a fixture on the Atlanta Hawks’ bench in the 80s. Fratello holds the record for winning the most games in franchise history, boasting a 324-250 record. In 1986, Fratello was named NBA Coach of the Year.

The Hawks remained a relevant team in the 90s, thanks in large part to Lenny Wilkens. Though Dominique Wilkins left a huge void to fill, Wilkens was able to hone players like Steve Smith, Mookie Blaylock, and Dikembe Mutombo in this extremely competitive era. Wilkens was also named NBA Coach of the Year in 1994.

Hannum gets the nod as the greatest Hawks coach ever. Though Fratello and Wilkens boast more regular season wins, the lone title in franchise history takes on utmost importance. No head coach other than Hannum can claim to have won the richest prize in the NBA to this day.