Total NBA Championship Rings as Head Coach
Phil Jackson has 11 NBA championship rings as a head coach, making him the most successful coach in league history by titles. He won six with the Chicago Bulls and five with the Los Angeles Lakers, spanning from 1991 to 2010. His coaching record includes two three-peats, a feat matched only by a few franchises Forbes.
Jackson’s 11 titles place him ahead of any other head coach in NBA history and far above his closest peers. He is the only coach to win multiple three-peats with different franchises. His rings are tied for the most among all NBA coaches and executives combined in the modern era.
Championship Breakdown by Team
Chicago Bulls Championships
Phil Jackson won six NBA championships as head coach of the Chicago Bulls. He captured two three-peats, first from 1991 to 1993 and again from 1996 to 1998. During these runs, he coached Michael Jordan, Scottie Pippen, and Dennis Rodman Basketball Reference.
The Bulls dynasty under Jackson is defined by his use of the triangle offense and a focus on player relationships. His six titles with Chicago remain the most for any coach with a single franchise. The Bulls’ six championships in the 1990s are a central part of NBA history.
Los Angeles Lakers Championships
Phil Jackson won five NBA championships as head coach of the Los Angeles Lakers. He secured three straight titles from 2000 to 2002 with Shaquille O’Neal and Kobe Bryant, followed by back-to-back wins in 2009 and 2010 with Kobe Bryant and Pau Gasol NBA.com.
His Lakers tenure made him the first coach to win titles with two different franchises since the 1960s. Jackson’s five rings with Los Angeles are the most for any coach in Lakers history. He retired after the 2010 Finals, closing out a complete championship run on both coasts.
Career Context and Coaching Record
Overall Coaching Stats and Milestones
Phil Jackson coached 1,640 regular-season games across the Bulls, Lakers, and New York Knicks, winning 1,155 contests. His .704 winning percentage is the highest among coaches with at least 1,000 wins. He was named NBA Coach of the Year once, in 1996, and coached 12 All-Star players ESPN.
Beyond his 11 titles, Jackson is known for managing high-profile locker rooms and integrating mindfulness practices into team culture. His approach influenced a generation of coaches across the NBA. He was inducted into the Basketball Hall of Fame as a coach in 2007.
Comparison With Other Top NBA Coaches
No other NBA head coach has more than six championships, placing Jackson’s 11 titles in a category of his own. Gregg Popovich has five titles, and Red Auerbach and Pat Riley each have nine as a head coach or executive