NBA coaches are often deemed subpar with little room for excuses unless extenuating circumstances can explain a team's underperformance.
Tim Floyd's coaching reputation suffered from both the OJ Mayo scandal and his poor performance during the post-Jordan era Bulls, with multiple losing seasons and a record-low of 15-67.
tim floyd
Record: 90-231
Lon Kruger's college success didn't translate to the NBA. As Atlanta Hawks' coach, his first two seasons went 58-106, and he was fired after a failed playoff guarantee.
lon kruger
Record: 69-122
In the '02-'03 season, Sidney Lowe was on the hot seat as head coach of the struggling Memphis Grizzlies, and after an eight-game losing streak and a toothpick incident, he was fired.
sidney lowe
Record: 79-228
Warriors coach Montgomery had two 34-48 seasons, with GM Mullin wanting him fired. Don Nelson replaced him, leading the team to a playoff upset of the top-seeded Mavericks.
Mike Montgomery
Record: 68-96
Iavaroni failed to lead a talented Memphis Grizzlies team in 2007, resulting in a poor start in '08-'09, leading to his firing. The team has since been mediocre but better off without him.