What Happened to Philip Douglas Jackson?
Phil Jackson is a legendary American former professional basketball player, coach, and executive, widely recognized for his record 11 NBA championships as a head coach with the Chicago Bulls and Los Angeles Lakers. After retiring from coaching in 2011, he had a less successful tenure as president of the New York Knicks from 2014 to 2017, and currently offers occasional insights and commentary on the modern NBA.
Quick Answer
Phil Jackson, known as the 'Zen Master,' retired from his illustrious coaching career in 2011 after winning a record 11 NBA championships with the Chicago Bulls and Los Angeles Lakers. He later served as the president of the New York Knicks from 2014 to 2017, a role that ended without significant success. As of March 2026, Jackson remains retired from active roles but occasionally shares his perspectives on the NBA, including recent comments in January 2026 regarding player coachability and the evolution of coaching tools.
📊Key Facts
📅Complete Timeline15 events
Born in Deer Lodge, Montana
Philip Douglas Jackson was born in Deer Lodge, Montana, to Pentecostal minister parents.
Drafted by New York Knicks
Jackson was drafted in the second round by the New York Knicks, beginning his professional playing career.
Wins NBA Championship as Player
As a key reserve, Jackson won his second NBA championship with the New York Knicks.
Begins Coaching Career with Albany Patroons
Jackson was appointed head coach for the Albany Patroons of the Continental Basketball Association (CBA), where he won a championship in 1984.
Becomes Head Coach of Chicago Bulls
After serving as an assistant coach, Jackson was promoted to head coach of the Chicago Bulls, marking the beginning of his legendary NBA coaching career.
Wins First NBA Championship as Coach
Jackson led the Chicago Bulls to their first NBA championship, initiating the team's first 'three-peat'.
Named NBA Coach of the Year
Jackson received the NBA Coach of the Year award after leading the Bulls to a then-record 72-10 regular season.
Leaves Bulls After Second Three-Peat
After securing a second 'three-peat' with the Bulls, Jackson left the team due to disagreements with management.
Hired as Head Coach of Los Angeles Lakers
Jackson took over as head coach of the Los Angeles Lakers, quickly building another championship dynasty.
Inducted into Basketball Hall of Fame
Phil Jackson was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame for his unparalleled coaching achievements.
Retires from Coaching
Jackson retired from coaching after the Los Angeles Lakers were swept in the playoffs, concluding his record-setting career with 11 NBA titles.
Named President of New York Knicks
Jackson returned to the Knicks, the team he played for, as their president of basketball operations.
Parts Ways with New York Knicks
After a tumultuous and largely unsuccessful tenure, Jackson and the Knicks mutually agreed to part ways.
Co-authors 'Masters Of The Game'
Jackson co-authored the book 'Masters Of The Game' with journalist Sam Smith, reflecting on the NBA's 75 greatest players.
Offers Commentary on Modern NBA Coaching
Jackson shared his views on player coachability and the impact of max contracts in the contemporary NBA, noting that modern tools make coaching easier.
🔍Deep Dive Analysis
Philip Douglas Jackson's journey in the NBA is one of unparalleled success as a coach, following a respectable playing career. Drafted by the New York Knicks in 1967, he won two NBA championships as a player, notably as a key reserve on the 1973 team. After retiring as a player in 1980, Jackson transitioned into coaching, starting in the Continental Basketball Association (CBA) with the Albany Patroons, where he won a championship in 1984.
His NBA coaching career began as an assistant with the Chicago Bulls in 1987, leading to his promotion to head coach in 1989. Under his guidance, and with the implementation of Tex Winter's 'triangle offense,' the Bulls, led by Michael Jordan and Scottie Pippen, achieved two historic 'three-peats' (1991–1993 and 1996–1998), securing six NBA championships. Jackson's unique coaching style, blending Eastern philosophy and Native American mysticism, earned him the moniker 'Zen Master' and was instrumental in managing strong personalities and fostering team cohesion.
After a brief hiatus, Jackson joined the Los Angeles Lakers in 1999, where he continued his championship success, leading the team to three consecutive titles from 2000 to 2002 with Shaquille O'Neal and Kobe Bryant. He returned to the Lakers in 2005 after a year off, adding two more championships in 2009 and 2010, bringing his coaching total to a record 11 NBA titles. He retired from coaching in 2011, citing health reasons.
In 2014, Jackson returned to the NBA as the president of the New York Knicks, signing a five-year, $60 million contract. His tenure as an executive, however, was largely unsuccessful and marked by controversy, including attempts to implement the triangle offense and public disagreements with star player Carmelo Anthony. He parted ways with the Knicks in June 2017, mutually agreeing to an early termination of his contract. Many analysts attributed his executive struggles to the different skill set required for front-office management compared to coaching.
Since his departure from the Knicks, Jackson has remained out of active NBA roles. He co-authored the book "Masters Of The Game" in November 2025, reflecting on NBA legends and the game's evolution. As of early 2026, Jackson occasionally offers his insights on the state of the NBA. In January 2026, he commented on player coachability in the modern era, suggesting that the pursuit of maximum contracts can make some younger players difficult to manage, while also acknowledging that modern coaching tools make the job easier in some respects. His biography on Britannica was updated on February 11, 2026, and his Wikipedia page was reviewed on March 20, 2026, indicating his continued relevance in basketball discourse.
What If...?
Explore alternate histories. What if Philip Douglas Jackson made different choices?