He’s bought 4 championships. He’s the winningest coach in NBA postseason historical past. And he was not too long ago named one of many NBA’s High 15 coaches of all time.
Sure, Steve Kerr has carved out fairly a exceptional profession in simply eight years with the Warriors. However it hasn’t been sufficient to get his face chiseled into the No. 1 spot on the aspect of our legendary Mount Rushmore of the Bay Space’s main skilled sports activities coaches.
For now, Kerr stays barely within the shadows of legendary 49ers coach Invoice Walsh, who was bestowed the consideration of being the pinnacle of our mountain’s hierarchy after voting by our panel of consultants and our readers.
“As strategists, leaders of males, with a robust and eternally compelling voice, Kerr and Walsh are equals in my thoughts. Walsh is my No. 1 strictly on longevity,” mentioned Bruce Jenkins, a San Francisco Chronicle author emeritus who’s been following the Bay Space sports activities scene since arriving on the Cal campus in 1966.
Walsh, who received three Tremendous Bowls in San Francisco and performed a major position in two extra titles, and Kerr are joined by Giants future Corridor of Famer Bruce Bochy and Raiders Corridor of Famer John Madden to comprise our Rushmore 4.
It took extra than simply equally coloured hair for Walsh to earn the identical Rushmore spot George Washington fills in South Dakota.
Despite the fact that Walsh coached three of the 49ers’ 5 Tremendous Bowl successful groups, retired Bay Space Information Group columnist Carl Steward factors out Walsh was actually the catalyst behind all of them.
“Walsh will get the sting over Kerr as a result of he scouted a lot of the 49ers’ expertise and constructed his personal championship groups,” Steward mentioned. “He additionally took over a franchise that was destitute on the time he was employed. I additionally give Walsh a lot credit score for the title they received the 12 months after he retired, and actually, since he was the man who acquired (Steve) Younger in addition to (Jerry) Rice, the 1995 title as properly.
“The Warriors have been already on their approach up with (Stephen) Curry, (Draymond) Inexperienced and (Klay) Thompson and had made the playoffs earlier than Kerr arrived.”
Artwork Spander, who has coated greater than 40 Tremendous Bowls in his profession and in addition coated the Warriors’ first title in 1975, additionally gave the nod to Walsh.
“Kerr is a improbable coach,” Spander mentioned. “His views of society match properly in Northern California. However Walsh modified a tradition. An hour after The Catch, I caught up with Invoice on the sector at Candlestick: ‘You'll be able to cease writing we will’t win the massive one,’ he mentioned. And so we did.”
All of our panelists wrestled with the selection, some enormously. In the long run, all however one selected Walsh. The exception was Mark Ibanez, the not too long ago retired KTVU-TV sports activities anchor,
“Recency bias, most likely,” he mentioned when requested how Kerr rose to the highest of his checklist, above Walsh.
“Each did an incredible job of sustaining their dynasties, but it surely was simpler to do earlier than the wage cap period,” Ibanez mentioned, noting Walsh’s 49ers have been buoyed by free-spending possession. “The differentiator for me was I really imagine Kerr cares extra on a private stage for his gamers as individuals. Nonetheless, it’s laborious to argue what an innovator Walsh was. Actually a coin flip between the 2.”
It was no straightforward activity making heads or tails of who needs to be known as the 4 best coaches within the 76-year historical past of main skilled sports activities within the Bay Space.
We could have borrowed his idea, however we strove to be extra inclusive than Mount Rushmore sculptor Gutzon Borglum, who determined if he was going to spend almost 15 years teetering off granite cliffs within the Black Hills, he was rattling properly going to decide on which presidents to depict.
We opted for a extra democratic path. And the one laboring we did was borne of our love of a superb sports activities argument.
The method started as we sifted by means of the 128 males who’ve coached our area’s professional sports activities groups for the reason that 49ers arrived in 1946. Conversely, Borglum had simply 30 presidents from which to decide on for the true Mount Rushmore in 1927. Properly, truly 29. Let’s be trustworthy, Warren Harding was by no means an possibility.
We reached out to our readers in addition to among the most revered sports activities columnists and radio/tv personalities the Bay Space’s seen over the many years. Along with Jenkins, Steward, Spander and Ibanez, the panel included Joe Fonzi, Bud Geracie, Dave Newhouse, Monte Poole, Mark Purdy, Hal Ramey and Glenn Schwarz. Their votes in tandem with the reader vote decided the ultimate 4.
Right here’s a have a look at the boys we’ve all chosen to immortalize on our imaginary mountain:
1. BILL WALSH, 49ers:
In all probability probably the most revolutionary coach in NFL historical past, there’s a motive Walsh was nicknamed “The Genius.”
He created the “West Coast Offense,” a quick-hitting passing assault that revolutionized the sport by ushering in a extra pass-happy recreation. He led the 49ers to a few Tremendous Bowl titles and his groups went 102-63-1 in his 10 years with the 49ers (1979-88).
Why he’s excessive atop our mountain: “Invoice Walsh is the best offensive thoughts in NFL historical past,” mentioned Dave Newhouse, longtime Bay Space columnist and writer.
“Not only for the Tremendous Bowls, but in addition for the best way he modified the entire trajectory for the franchise for the following 40 years,” mentioned Mark Purdy, who spent almost 40 years as a Mercury Information columnist.
2. STEVE KERR, Warriors:
Don’t underestimate what his mixture of compassion, humility, creativity and innate means to attach with and encourage his gamers has completed right here. The person has 9 NBA championship rings, together with the 4 he earned whereas main Golden State to titles in 2015, 2017, 2018 and two weeks in the past. The primary particular person in NBA historical past to win not less than three titles as each a participant and a coach, Kerr has led the Warriors to 6 NBA Finals in eight years and has the most effective postseason report – 93-34 (.732) – ever.
Why he’s excessive atop our mountain: “Even with all of the proficient gamers he’s had right here, the factor about Kerr is he simply pushes all the precise buttons,” Purdy mentioned.
“Kerr’s not George Washington, the primary face on Mt. Rushmore, however the truth that it’s even up for dialogue bespeaks unusual greatness. Would one other championship change the order? We’ll see, perhaps a 12 months from now,” mentioned Bay Space Information Group sports activities editor Bud Geracie.
3. BRUCE BOCHY, Giants:
After successful three World Collection championships to grow to be simply the tenth supervisor in MLB historical past to win not less than three World Collection titles, Bochy has assured himself of a spot within the Corridor of Fame sooner or later. He’s the one supervisor in MLB historical past to win not less than 900 video games with two franchises, together with his 1,052 wins in San Francisco, the second-most in franchise historical past.
Why he’s excessive atop our mountain: “To be on this Mount Rushmore, you must win championships. No Bay Space baseball supervisor has received extra titles than Bochy.” Purdy mentioned.
“Bochy’s report speaks for itself as the most effective of all Giants managers: three championships in 5 years, one other World Collection look with San Diego and absolutely a Corridor of Famer sometime. He was beloved by his gamers, and among the stuff they pulled off was downright miraculous. By no means a touch of controversy with this man. Good instances and unhealthy, he was all the time precisely the identical,” mentioned Jenkins.
4. JOHN MADDEN, Raiders:
Lengthy earlier than he turned a legend within the online game world and within the broadcast sales space, Madden was on the helm of a professional soccer’s winningest group. His .759 successful share stays the most effective of any head coach within the NFL’s fashionable period. He introduced house a Tremendous Bowl title in 1977 and in addition received seven division titles in 10 years.
Why he’s excessive atop our mountain: “His Raiders have been all the time good, principally distinctive, going in opposition to among the finest professional groups ever assembled. Madden stored command of a wildly rogue bunch, usually putting individuals as a bunch of criminals, by no means shedding their ear whereas working for eccentric genius Al Davis. And so they did get one championship within the deal,” Jenkins mentioned.
“Madden is simply an icon on so many fronts, however the one factor individuals usually overlook is he may actually coach. Renegades who couldn’t play anyplace else cherished taking part in for Madden. Acquired the Raiders their first Tremendous Bowl, and if not for the Pittsburgh Steelers’ tremendous groups, he absolutely would have received extra.” mentioned Steward.
All-Mountain second staff
TONY LA RUSSA: The previous A’s supervisor took Oakland to a few straight World Collection from 1988-90. Dropping to inferior groups in ’88 (Dodgers) and ’90 (Reds) was held in opposition to him. “They didn’t win a number of championships, however Tony’s A’s have been iconic,” mentioned Monte Poole, longtime Bay Space Information Group columnist now with NBC Sports activities Bay Space. “That was the peak of A’s baseball. They related with the Bay Space. They drew almost 3 million followers. They have been a present.”
DON NELSON: Oversaw the Warriors’ resurgence by creating a fast-paced, entertaining model of basketball throughout the “Run TMC” days of Tim Hardaway, Chris Mullin and Mitch Richmond. Nelson additionally retired as the sport’s all-time winningest coach. “His groups have been celebrated and enjoyable, his ‘We Consider’ staff was super for Warriors followers, however Nellie couldn’t get previous the second spherical of the playoffs,” Poole mentioned.
GEORGE SEIFERT: Some late ballot-box stuffing from followers nonetheless wasn’t fairly sufficient to raise Seifert into the primary 4 spots. Seifert coached the 49ers to 2 Tremendous Bowl titles, however has any two-time championship-winning coach ever been so missed? The notion was that Seifert rode to glory as a result of Walsh’s system and gamers have been nonetheless round. “There’s an argument for him,” mentioned Poole. “He grabbed the baton from Invoice (Walsh), however George did an incredible job taking what Invoice had constructed and succeeding for plenty of years.”
DICK WILLIAMS: One other former A’s skipper who took Oakland to the highest of MLB’s mountain. He received World Collection titles in 1972 and ’73 however stepped apart whereas Alvin Darkish managed the A’s to a 3rd straight championship in ’74 as a result of Williams had sufficient of eccentric and bombastic A’s proprietor Charlie Finley. “He was a tremendous baseball man who received two championships for an proprietor who was borderline certifiable and a clubhouse from the solid of ‘Main League,’ ” mentioned Purdy.
All-Mountain third staff
AL ATTLES: Practically 50 years after successful the Warriors’ first NBA title in 1975, Attles’ longevity nonetheless makes him one of many faces of the franchise. Attles did his personal tweaking of the NBA system by changing into the primary coach to make the most of nearly each participant on his roster, which helped the Warriors put on down their opponents.
DUSTY BAKER: The previous Large is one other of one of the vital beloved managers in Bay Space historical past. The 2002 World Collection collapse in opposition to the Angels nonetheless haunts round these elements, as do NLDS losses in 1997 and 2000. “If he weren’t cursed in October, he’d be an enormous a part of the controversy,” Geracie mentioned.
TOM FLORES: Flores was lastly acknowledged for his two Tremendous Bowl titles because the Raiders coach by his entry into Professional Soccer’s Corridor of Fame. Nonetheless, solely considered one of Flores’ Tremendous Bowl wins got here in Oakland it was a memorable one, although, as his 1980 Raiders turned the NFL’s first wild card staff to grow to be champions.
BOB MELVIN: The calming affect of Melvin helped carry his A’s groups to seven postseason appearances in 11 years, together with 4 division titles. Melvin’s 853 wins for the A’s have been the second most in franchise historical past behind Corridor of Famer Connie Mack.
Right here’s the breakdown of our panelists decisions:
JOE FONZI (KTVU-TV sports activities anchor): Walsh, Kerr, Bochy, Madden.
BUD GERACIE (Bay Space Information Group sports activities editor): Walsh, Kerr, Madden, Bochy.
MARK IBANEZ (retired KTVU-TV sports activities anchor): Kerr, Walsh, Bochy, La Russa.
BRUCE JENKINS (San Francisco Chronicle author emeritus): Walsh, Kerr, Bochy, Madden.
DAVE NEWHOUSE (retired columnist, writer): Walsh, Kerr, Bochy, Madden.
MONTE POOLE (NBC Sports activities Bay Space, columnist): Walsh, Kerr, Madden, La Russa.
MARK PURDY (retired Mercury Information columnist): Walsh, Kerr, Bochy, Dick Williams.
HAL RAMEY: (retired KCBS radio sports activities anchor): Walsh, Kerr, Bochy, Madden.
GLENN SCHWARZ (retired San Francisco Chronicle sports activities editor): Walsh, Kerr, Bochy, Madden.
ART SPANDER (Bay Space columnist for almost 50 years and counting): Walsh, Kerr, Madden, Bochy.
CARL STEWARD (retired Bay Space Information Group columnist): Walsh, Kerr, Bochy, Madden
ONLINE READERS POLL RESULTS
1. George Seifert, 49ers: 29.2%
2. Steve Kerr, Warriors: 17.9%
3. Invoice Walsh, 49ers: 16.9%
4. Bruce Bochy, Giants: 13.5%
5. John Madden, Raiders: 12.2%
6. Tony La Russa, A’s: 3.3%
7. Dusty Baker, Giants: 1.6%
8. Al Attles, Warriors: 1.2%
9. Don Nelson, Warriors: 1.1%
10. Dick Williams, A’s: 0.9%
FINAL TALLY*: Walsh: 45 factors, (10 first-place votes); Kerr: 37 factors, (1); Bochy: 20 factors; Madden 11 factors; Seifert 4 factors (1), La Russa 2 factors; D. Williams 1 level.
* Observe: 4 factors for 1st place vote, 3 factors for 2nd place, 2 factors for third place, 1 level for 4th place.