# What is the best coach in Houston Rockets history?

> Two championship banners, one record-setting offense and a few short stints that still get argued about. The bench has had more personalities than you would guess.

*By YPB Team · Published October 23, 2026 · https://youpick.best/ranking/what-is-the-best-coach-in-houston-rockets-history*

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## Current results (no votes yet)

1. **Rudy Tomjanovich** — score 1000/1000
   Led Houston to back-to-back NBA championships in 1994 and 1995 and holds the franchise records for coaching wins.
2. **Ime Udoka** — score 454/1000
   Defense-minded coach who turned a young Rockets roster into a playoff team in 2025.
3. **Jeff Van Gundy** — score 372/1000
   Defense-first coach who ran the Rockets through the Yao Ming and Tracy McGrady era with two playoff appearances.
4. **Kevin McHale** — score 372/1000
   Hall of Fame forward turned coach who steered Houston to the 2015 Western Conference Finals.
5. **Mike D'Antoni** — score 273/1000
   Built a record-setting three-point offense around James Harden and won Coach of the Year in 2017.
6. **Bill Fitch** — score 273/1000
   Took the Rockets to the 1986 NBA Finals with the Twin Towers of Hakeem Olajuwon and Ralph Sampson.
7. **Rick Adelman** — score 0/1000
   Won 55 games a season in Houston and led the 2008 Rockets to a 22-game winning streak.

Tags: sports, basketball, nba, coaches, houston rockets