Hank Egan, a longtime NBA assistant coach renowned for his fundamental teaching of the game, has been awarded the 2024 Tex Winter Assistant Coach Lifetime Impact Award, the National Basketball Coaches Association (NBCA) announced today.
Egan’s coaching career began in 1966 as an assistant at the United States Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs, Colorado. In 1971, he was promoted to head coach, serving for 13 seasons. Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame Coach Gregg Popovich both played (1966-1970) and served as an assistant coach (1973-1979) under Egan at the Air Force Academy. Popovich credits much of his career success to his longtime mentor.
“I’m thrilled that Hank Egan is receiving this well-deserved honor,” said Popovich, long-time San Antonio Spurs head coach. “During his 40-plus seasons as a coach, he taught, inspired, and supported so many of us. His passion for basketball, combined with his knowledge of the game, made him one of the best coaches I’ve ever encountered. I’m forever grateful for Hank’s mentorship and friendship.”
After winning nearly 150 games at the Air Force Academy, Egan was hired to lead the University of San Diego basketball program. During the 1986-1987 season, Egan led the San Diego Toreros to a 24-6 season, a regular-season West Coast Athletic Conference (WCAC) championship, and a trip to the NCAA tournament. He won back-to-back conference Coach of the Year Awards (1986 & 1987) and finished his career at the University of San Diego with a record of 156-126 as head coach.
Egan entered the NBA coaching ranks in 1994 with the San Antonio Spurs. During his first two seasons as an NBA assistant coach, he helped lead the Spurs to a 62-win season (1994-95) and a 59-win season (1995-96), along with two consecutive Western Conference Finals appearances. Popovich later became the Spurs head coach during the 1996-1997 season, and Egan remained on his staff for six more seasons. In eight seasons with the Spurs, Egan amassed a record of 403-221 (.646) with seven playoff appearances, including winning the 1999 NBA championship.
“I would like to thank the National Basketball Coaches Association for recognizing me with the Tex Winter Assistant Coach Lifetime Impact Award,” Egan said. “It is truly an honor to receive an award associated with such an accomplished coach and well-respected person as Fred ‘Tex’ Winter.
“I am also grateful to all of the head coaches I had the opportunity to work with over the years during my 15-year career in the NBA, particularly Gregg ‘Pop’ Popovich, who I have known for over 50 years and who brought me into the league as the Spurs Assistant Coach. Winning our first championship together in 1999 at ‘The Garden’ will always be remembered as one of the greatest achievements and experiences in my professional and personal life.
“Lastly, I want to thank my wife and the rock of our family, Judy Egan, and our children John and Kelly for sharing in this incredible NBA journey.”
Similar to his arrival in San Antonio, Egan joined another of his former players, Eric Musselman (University of San Diego: 1984-1987), in Golden State for the 2002-2003 NBA season. He later joined another former player, Mike Brown (San Diego: 1990-1992), in Cleveland to help develop a young LeBron James. As a Cavaliers assistant, Egan had a 272-138 regular season record (.663), a 42-29 postseason record (.592), and five playoff trips, including an appearance in the 2007 NBA Finals.
“Hank Egan is one of the great teachers of the game,” said Rick Carlisle, Indiana Pacers head coach and NBCA President. “He’s not only helped develop players, but his coaching tree has produced some of the league’s best, including Kings Head Coach Mike Brown and San Antonio Spurs Head Coach Gregg Popovich, who Coach Egan won an NBA Championship with in 1999. Congrats to Coach Egan on this prestigious recognition.”
In 15 seasons of NBA coaching, Egan went to the playoffs 12 times, reached four conference finals, two NBA Finals, and won one NBA championship.
Overall, during his NBA and NCAA coaching career, Egan amassed over 1,000 regular season wins (1067-786) and finished with a .576 winning percentage.
Egan was inducted into the Colorado Springs Sports Hall of Fame in 2017 and the University of San Diego’s Hall of Fame in 2020.
The NBCA Tex Winter Lifetime Impact Award honors the tremendous achievements and commitment of Hall of Famer Tex Winter, who, over an outstanding NBA coaching career, set a standard of innovation, integrity, competitive excellence, loyalty, and tireless promotion of NBA basketball.
The award is selected annually by the NBCA Selection Committee, comprised of some of the most respected coaches and executives in the game, including Rick Adelman, Hubie Brown, Doug Collins, Wayne Embry, Danny Ferry, Mike Fratello, George Karl, Doc Rivers, Rod Thorn, and Lenny Wilkens.
This year’s nominees included Assistant Coaches Bob Beyer, Dan Burke, Jeff Bzdelik, Maurice Cheeks, Gordon Chiesa, Carroll Dawson, Jim Eyen, Brian Hill, Jim Lynam, Bob McAdoo, Brendan Suhr, and Bob Weiss.
Prior recipients are Brendan Malone (2023), Ron Adams (2022), Dick Helm (2021), Bill Bertka (2019), Tim Grgurich (2018), Ron Rothstein (2017), and Phil Johnson (2016)
