Photos of NBA championship coach Steve Kerr through the years
- Rick Wiley
- Updated
Steve Kerr helped bring the University of Arizona basketball team to prominence in the Lute Olson era, notably with their play in the 1988 NCAA Tournament and the Final Four. Kerr was selected by the Phoenix Suns in the 1988 NBA draft. He was traded to the Cleveland Cavaliers, then the Orlando Magic. He signed with the Chicago Bulls in 1993 and won three NBA Championships with the team. In 1999, he moved to the San Antonio Spurs. He won two championships with the Spurs, with a brief stop at the Portland Trailblazers in between.
Kerr moved on to television analyst, then joined the front office of the Phoenix Suns, eventually ascending to general manager. He left the team in 2010.
Kerr became the head coach of the Golden State Warriors in 2014 and led the team to three NBA Championships in four years, most-recently in 2018.
Steve Kerr
Golden State Warriors head coach Steve Kerr high-fives fans during the team's NBA basketball championship parade, Tuesday, June 12, 2018, in Oakland, Calif.
Tony Avelar / Associated PressSteve Kerr
Golden State Warriors coach Steve Kerr argues a call during the first half of Game 3 of basketball's NBA Finals against the Cleveland Cavaliers on Wednesday, June 6, 2018, in Cleveland.
Joshua Gunter / Cleveland.comSteve Kerr
Golden State Warriors head coach Steve Kerr, left, talks to Steve Nash during an NBA basketball practice, Wednesday, May 30, 2018, in Oakland, Calif. The Warriors face the Cleveland Cavaliers in Game 1 of the NBA Finals on Thursday in Oakland.
Marcio Jose Sanchez / Associated PressSteve Kerr
Golden State Warriors head coach Steve Kerr speaks at a news conference after Game 5 of basketball's NBA Finals between the Warriors and the Cleveland Cavaliers in Oakland, Calif., Monday, June 12, 2017. The Warriors won 129-120 to win the NBA championship. (AP Photo/Ben Margot)
Ben Margot / APSteve Kerr
Golden State Warriors head coach Steve Kerr talks to his team during a time out against the Cleveland Cavaliers in the first quarter of Game 5 of the NBA Finals at Oracle Arena in Oakland, Calif., on Monday, June 12, 2017. (Nhat V. Meyer/Bay Area News Group/TNS)
Nhat V. Meyer / TNSSteve Kerr
Golden State Warriors head coach Steve Kerr, right, talks with assistant Mike Brown during the first half of Game 5 of basketball's NBA Finals between the Warriors and the Cleveland Cavaliers in Oakland, Calif., Monday, June 12, 2017. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez)
Marcio Jose SanchezSteve Kerr
Golden State Warriors assistant coach Jarron Collins, right, takes a selfie of Warriors head coach Steve Kerr, center, and assistant coach Luke Walton, left, after Kerr was named the NBA coach of the year, Tuesday, April 26, 2016, in Oakland, Calif. Kerr won the award after leading to the Golden State Warriors to the best regular season record in league history. Kerr got 64 first-place votes from the panel of 130 media members who regularly cover the league. Portland's Terry Stotts was second in relatively close voting. San Antonio's Gregg Popovich was third.
Janie McCauley / APSteve Kerr
Golden State Warriors head coach Steve Kerr, left, celebrates with player development coach and fellow UA alum Bruce Fraser after beating the Memphis Grizzlies in Game 6 of a second-round NBA basketball Western Conference playoff series Friday, May 15, 2015, in Memphis, Tenn. The Warriors won 108-95 to win the series 4-2.
Mark Humphrey / APSteve Kerr
Arizona alumnus Steve Kerr, head coach of the Golden State Warriors, acknowledges the Arizona fans prior to the Arizona vs. Xavier Sweet 16 game in the NCAA Tournament at SAP Center, March 23, 2017, in San Jose, Calif.
Mike Christy / Arizona Daily StarSteve Kerr
Sand volleyball player Jianna Bonomi walks past some of the images of legendary University of Arizona basketball players such as Steve Kerr, Sean Elliott, Gilbert Arenas, Mike Bibby and others in a hallwall in the McKale Center. The players on display went on to play for the National Basketball Association.
A.E. Araiza / Arizona Daily StarSteve Kerr
Members of the 88 final four team serving as judges during the dunk contest are from left to right, Craig McMillan, Steve Kerr, Tom Tolbert, Jud Buechler and Sean Elliott at the Red & Blue game on October 21, 2012 at McKale Center.
Benjie Sanders / Arizona Daily StarSteve Kerr
Dalton Slaughter gets his photo taken with former UA basketball and Phoenix Suns General Manager Steve Kerr on October 1st, 2008 during an autograph session at Verizon Wireless-Arizona Pavillions. The Phoenix Suns were in Tucson for training camp.
Jim Davis / Arizona Daily StarSteve Kerr
Phoenix Suns general manager Steve Kerr talks to reporters following a practice on the first day of training camp Sept. 30, 2008 at McKale Center on the campus of the University of Arizona in Tucson, Ariz.
James Gregg / Arizona Daily StarSteve Kerr
New Phoenix Suns' Shaquille O'Neal, center, holds up his new basketball jersey as he is flanked by Suns general manager Steve Kerr, left, and Suns head coach Mike D'Antoni at a news conference on Thursday, Feb. 7, 2008, in Phoenix.
Ross D. Franklin / APSteve Kerr
Left to right Steve Kerr, Robert Sarver, and Mike D'Antoni Wednesday afternoon during a press conference in 2007 announcing Steve Kerr as the Suns new GM.
ARIZONA DAILY STARSteve Kerr
Former University of Arizona basketball player Steve Kerr pats fellow Wildcat Gilbert Arenas at the end of the Lute Olson All-Star Classic basketball game in McKale Center on Sunday, August 19, 2007
A.E. Araiza / Arizona Daily StarSteve Kerr
Former University of Arizona and NBA basketball player Steve Kerr squats down as he gets what little help he can receive from four-foot, nine-inch Dotty Sherwood-Cooney as he gets ready to participate in the morning session of the UA's 130th commencement ceremony on Saturday, May 15, 2004. Kerr received an award from the UA and was the commencement speaker for both ceremonies.
A.E. Araiza / Arizona Daily StarSteve Kerr
Steve Kerr, addresses an audience at McKale center Jan. 9, 1999, during a ceremony in which his No. 25 UA basketball jersey was retired.
Ben Kirkby, Arizona Daily Star fileSteve Kerr
San Antonio Spurs players Steve Kerr, right, Danny Ferry (35), Kevin Willis, rear, and trainer Will Sevening celebrate their 88-77 win over the New Jersey Nets for the NBA Championship, Sunday, June 15, 2003.
SUE OGROCKI / APSteve Kerr
San Antonio Spurs Steve Kerr (R) is congratulated by Danny Ferry after the Spurs defeated the Dallas Mavericks 90-78 to win the NBA Western Conference Championship in Dallas, Texas, May 29, 2003. Kerr hit four three-pointers in the 13 minutes he played in the fourth quarter. The Spurs will play the Nets in the NBA Finals beginning June 4 in San Antonio.
LUCY NICHOLSON / ReutersSteve Kerr
San Antonio Spurs guard Steve Kerr, sitting with his knees iced, soaks his feet in ice water after the team's training camp workout in San Antonio on Monday, Oct. 4, 1999.
Eric Gay / APSteve Kerr
Portland Trail Blazers guard and former UA player Damon Stoudamire, right, pushes past San Antonio Spurs defender Steve Kerr (4) in the first quarter of Game 2 of the NBA Western Conference Finals Monday, May 31, 1999, in San Antonio.
Pat Sullivan / APSteve Kerr
The Chicago Bulls' Steve Kerr celebrates after the Bulls beat the Utah Jazz 90-86 in Game 6 to win the NBA championship on June 13, 1997, in Chicago. Kerr hit a shot with five seconds left that put the Bulls ahead for good in the game.
Beth A. Keiser, Associated PressSteve Kerr
Lute Olson talks with former player Steve Kerr at the 1997 Final Four game in Indianapolis.
David Sanders / Arizona Daily StarSteve Kerr
Chicago Bulls Steve Kerr fires a shot over New York Knicks Hubert Davis during a game in Chicago Dec. 25, 1994.
Frank Polich / APSteve Kerr
06-06-98.1C; Utah's John Stockton drives past Chicago Bull Steve Kerr in Game 2 of the NBA Finals. Utah Jazz's John Stockton, right, drives past Chicago Bulls' Steve Kerr in Game 2 of the NBA Finals in Salt Lake City, Friday, June 5, 1998. The Bulls defeated the Jazz 93-88, tying the best-of-seven series 1-1.
Mark J. Terrill / APSteve Kerr
Chicago Bulls' star Steve Kerr shakes hands with Jay Leno at the end of his appearance on "The Tonight Show With Jay Leno," in Burbank, Calif., Tuesday night, June 17, 1997. Kerr made the game and series winning shot Friday to help the Bulls seize the NBA title.
NBCSteve Kerr
Slathering on the sunscreen in Steve Kerr and Tom Tolbert. They were meeting one another at La Paloma Country Club for the Wildcats '88 Final Four team reunion golf event for charity.
Bruce McClelland / Arizona Daily StarSteve Kerr
Arizona's Donnell Harris is congratulated by alumnus Steve Kerr, left, of the Chicago Bulls, left, after Arizona beat Kentucky 84-79 in overtime to win the national championship Monday, March 31, 1997, at the NCAA Final Four tournament in Indianapolis.
Eric Draper / APSteve Kerr
Former University of Arizona stars Steve Kerr (left) and Sean Elliott greet UA coach Lute Olson in March, 2001.
Xavier Gallegos / Tucson CitizenSteve Kerr
Steve Kerr teaches students at Camp Kerr. The basketball camp is held each summer at St. Gregory College Preparatory School's gym.
Shara R Wells / Tucson CitizenSteve Kerr
Steve Kerr hangs by the pool at his home in Tucson with kids Maddy (left) age 1 and Nick age 4, in 1996.
Linda Seeger Salazar / Arizona Daily StarSteve Kerr
Steve Kerr's bed was auctioned off on May 26, 1988, at a Tucson Toros game. Budget Furniture Rentals, which owns it, donated the proceeds to the Arizona Children's Home. Along with his name on the mattress, Kerr wrote "Sweet dreams" and "Go Wildcats" with a felt tip pen.
Bruce McClelland / Arizona Daily Star1988 Arizona Wildcat basketball rally and parade
Steve Kerr addresses the crowd rally and parade for the men's basketball team at University of Arizona stadium after the 1988 NCAA Final Four.
Jackie Bell / Arizona Daily StarSteve Kerr
University of Arizona basketball coach Lute Olson with starting guard Steve Kerr in during a campus celebration of the team's 1988 NCAA Final Four appearance.
Tucson CitizenSteve Kerr
Arizona players Kenny Lofton, far left, Joe Turner and Steve Kerr box Iowa player B.J. Armstrong during the West Regional Semifinal game of the 1988 NCAA Tournament.
Clarence Tabb / Tucson CitizenSteve Kerr
UA player, Steve Kerr cuts the net after winning the final game of the Pac 10 game against Oregon at McKale Center in 1988.
Elizabeth Mangelsdorf / Arizona Daily StarSteve Kerr
Steve Kerr, right opens a gift with his teammates after the final game of the Pac 10 against Oregon at McKale Center on 3/13/88.
Elizabeth Mangelsdorf / Arizona Daily StarArizona vs. Oklahoma / 1988 NCAA Final Four
Arizona guard Steve Kerr looks for an outlet during the NCAA Final Four semi-final against Oklahoma on April 2, 1988, in Kansas City, Mo.
Elizabeth Mangelsdorf / Arizona Daily StarArizona vs. Oklahoma / 1988 NCAA Final Four
Arizona guard Steve Kerr dutifully signs autographs prior to the NCAA Final Four semi-final against Oklahoma on April 2, 1988, in Kansas City, Mo.
Elizabeth Mangelsdorf / Arizona Daily StarSteve Kerr
Arizona guard Steve Kerr against Illinois at McKale Center on Jan. 30, 1988.
Elizabeth Mangelsdorf / Arizona Daily StarSteve Kerr
Arizona guard Steve Kerr against Illinois at McKale Center on Jan. 30, 1988.
Elizabeth Mangelsdorf / Arizona Daily StarSteve Kerr
Steve Kerr of Arizona against Duke in December, 1987, at McKale Center.
Clarence Tabb / Tucson CitizenSteve Kerr
Steve Kerr of Arizona against UCLA at McKale Center in March, 1988.
Tucson CitizenSteve Kerr
Recovering from knee surgery, Steve Kerr gets a visit from University of Arizona basketball coach Lute Olson and teammate Sean Elliott at the St Mary's pediatric ward on July 22, 1986 in Tucson. Margo Brennan, who would become his future wife, sits by Kerr's side. Olson awarded Kerr, who was on the USA Basketball team, with the Gold medal from the FIBA World Championship game in Spain where he was injured. Because of the injury Kerr missed the entire 1986-87 season.
Charlie Leight / Arizona Daily StarSteve Kerr
Steve Kerr walks off the court after Arizona lost to Auburn in the NCAA Tournament on March 15, 1986.
Bruce McClelland / Arizona Daily StarSteve Kerr
University of Arizona guard Steve Kerr during a game at McKale Center in 1986.
Tucson CitizenSteve Kerr
Arizona sophomore Steve Kerr tries to pass around Alabama's Mark Gottfried. March 16, 1985.
Arizona Daily Star fileSteve Kerr
UA's Steve Kerr in 1984
Joe Vitti / Arizona Daily StarSteve Kerr
Steve Kerr of Arizona (#25) against Arizona State on Jan. 20, 1984 at McKale Center in Tucson.
Joe Vitti / Arizona Daily StarSteve Kerr
Steve Kerr of Arizona (#25) against Arizona State on Jan. 20, 1984 at McKale Center in Tucson.
Joe Vitti / Arizona Daily StarSteve Kerr
Steve Kerr of Arizona (#25) against Arizona State on Jan. 20, 1984 at McKale Center in Tucson.
Joe Vitti / Arizona Daily StarSteve Kerr
Steve Kerr of Arizona (#25) against Arizona State on Jan. 20, 1984 at McKale Center in Tucson.
Joe Vitti / Arizona Daily Star
Rick Wiley
Photo editor
Related to this collection
The Golden State Warriors, along with head coach (and former University of Arizona basketball star) Steve Kerr, celebrated their third NBA cha…
Twitter had a field day with the former Wildcat's new look.
With the NBA Draft coming up on Thursday, teams are squeezing final workouts for players looking to improve their stock.
Arizona (10-4) suddenly looks like a mediocre team after getting blown out in a 30-12 loss to the lowly Lions.
Tucsonan Merancio, a native of Hermosillo, Sonora, spent last season with the Hartford Athletics of the USL Championship League.