Top 3 best and worst coaches in Chicago Bulls franchise history

No. 1 worst: Tim Floyd (1999-2002)

If you thought Jim Boylen was a bad coach, I just pray you weren’t around to remember the Tim Floyd era in Chicago. Floyd coached 239 games for the Bulls from 1999 to 2002, and only managed to win 49 times. Yes, you heard that correctly. Floyd’s embarrassing 20.5% win percentage is by far the worst in Bulls history. As bad as Boylen was, he would have achieved 49 wins in 138 fewer games than Floyd did.

In the aftermath of the post-Jordan years, the Bulls were never going to be great. They certainly didn’t need to be downright horrible, however, as Floyd mismanaged and wasted great young talents such as Elton Brand, Ron Mercer, and Ron Artest.

I’m not sure what’s more mind-blowing here, the fact that Floyd was allowed to continue coaching the Bulls for four whole seasons, or the fact that he actually got another head coaching job in New Orleans following his release from the team. Unfortunately, Cartwright would take over for Floyd, so Bulls fans were in for another few rough years following his firing.

Phil Jackson transcended being just a Chicago Bulls legend and went down as one of the greatest head coaches in NBA history.

No. 1 best: Phil Jackson (1990-1998)

There was never any debate about who would lock down the top spot here, was there? Already having two championship rings to his name as a player, Phil Jackson would go on to have the greatest coaching career in NBA history, earning him the nickname of ‘The Zen Master’ as he helped pioneer The Triangle offensive scheme and steer the Chicago Bulls to becoming one of the most dominant teams in NBA history.

Jackson posted an incredibly 545-193 record as head coach for the Bulls, which puts him at No. 1 in franchise history for both total wins and win percentage. After winning six championships in eight years with the Bulls, Jackson would continue on to rack up seven NBA Finals appearances with the Lakers. Not only is Jackson the greatest coach in Chicago Bulls history, he’s arguably the best to ever do it. For any NBA team. Ever.