Jerry Tarkanian was a legendary basketball coach at the collegiate level, leading UNLV to the 1990 NCAA championship and Fresno State to the NCAA tournament. He was known for his aggressive, full-court style of play and his success made him a prime candidate for an NBA head coaching job. Despite his success, Tarkanian never got the chance to coach the Los Angeles Lakers, one of the most iconic franchises in the NBA. In this article, we will examine why Jerry Tarkanian did not coach the Lakers and the impact it had on his career.
Early Career
Jerry Tarkanian was born in Euclid, Ohio in 1930. He attended Pasadena City College and Fresno State University, where he was a two-time All-American. After college, he began coaching at the high school level, eventually moving up to the college ranks at Cal State Long Beach in 1968. He quickly made a name for himself as a hard-nosed, defensive-minded coach and led Long Beach to a pair of NCAA tournament appearances.
In 1973, Tarkanian was hired as head coach of the University of Nevada Las Vegas (UNLV). During his 19-year tenure at UNLV, Tarkanian compiled a 509-105 record and won the 1990 NCAA title. He was also known for his aggressive style of play and his willingness to take on the NCAA in court over various issues.
Tarkanian and the Lakers
In the late 1980s and early 1990s, the Los Angeles Lakers were looking for a new head coach. Jerry Tarkanian was considered to be one of the top candidates for the job, as his success at UNLV made him a prime candidate for an NBA head coaching job. Despite his success, the Lakers eventually chose to hire Magic Johnson as their head coach instead.
The Impact of Magic Johnson
The hiring of Magic Johnson as the new Lakers head coach had a major impact on why Jerry Tarkanian did not get the job. Johnson was an iconic figure in the NBA and an All-Star player with the Lakers. His presence was seen as a major draw for fans and he was viewed as the best choice to lead the team back to prominence.
The Impact of the NCAA
Another factor that likely played a role in why Jerry Tarkanian did not get the job with the Lakers was his long-standing feud with the NCAA. Tarkanian had repeatedly clashed with the NCAA over various issues and his confrontational style was seen as a potential distraction for the team. The NBA is a highly competitive league and the Lakers likely did not want any distractions that could potentially derail their success.
The Impact of Age
Age was also likely a factor in why Jerry Tarkanian did not get the job with the Lakers. Tarkanian was already in his 60s when the Lakers were looking for a head coach and his age was seen as a potential liability. The NBA is a young man’s game and the Lakers likely wanted a younger coach who could connect with the team’s players and build a long-term relationship.
Legacy of Jerry Tarkanian
Despite not getting the chance to coach the Lakers, Jerry Tarkanian still had a successful career as a college basketball coach. He is remembered as one of the all-time greats and his aggressive style of play revolutionized the game of basketball. He was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 2013 and his legacy lives on in the college basketball world.
Conclusion
Jerry Tarkanian was one of the most successful coaches in college basketball history, but he never got the chance to coach the Los Angeles Lakers. There were a number of factors that contributed to this, including the hiring of Magic Johnson, Tarkanian’s long-standing feud with the NCAA, and his advanced age. Despite not getting the chance to coach the Lakers, Tarkanian still had a successful career and his legacy lives on in the college basketball world.
FAQs
- Why didn’t Jerry Tarkanian coach the Lakers?
There were a number of factors that contributed to why Jerry Tarkanian did not coach the Lakers, including the hiring of Magic Johnson, Tarkanian’s long-standing feud with the NCAA, and his advanced age.
- What was Jerry Tarkanian’s legacy?
Jerry Tarkanian’s legacy is one of the all-time greats in college basketball. He was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 2013 and his style of play revolutionized the game.
- Did Jerry Tarkanian ever coach in the NBA?
No, Jerry Tarkanian never coached in the NBA. He was considered to be a prime candidate for a head coaching job with the Los Angeles Lakers, but he eventually did not get the job.