Sometimes, coaching greatness just isn’t enough. A few bad bounces, untimely injuries, or just plain bad luck can derail even the best game plan—and these coaches know that story all too well.
They had the brains, the schemes, and often the rosters to win it all, but the universe had other ideas. Whether it was a cursed franchise, a blown call, or just being in the wrong place at the wrong time, here are the 15 most unlucky coaches in sports history.
15. Rick Adelman
Adelman had plenty of talent during his NBA coaching career but always ran into dynasties. He got close several times, but the rings always went elsewhere.
14. Don Coryell
The creator of “Air Coryell” changed the game, but postseason success never followed. He helped revolutionize offense, yet never made it to a Super Bowl.
13. Marty Schottenheimer
Schottenheimer’s teams won consistently in the regular season, but heartbreak was a yearly tradition in the playoffs. His career became the blueprint for postseason frustration.
12. Jerry Sloan
Sloan had Stockton, Malone, and a loaded Jazz squad—unfortunately, he also had to deal with Michael Jordan. His teams were great but stuck behind an all-time dynasty.
11. Tony Perez
Perez was a respected manager in MLB who always seemed to take over teams in transition. He often paid the price for problems that weren’t his fault.
10. Dusty Baker (pre-2022)
Before finally winning it all with the Astros, Baker had a long history of near-misses. From the Giants to the Cubs to the Reds, he just couldn’t catch a break when it mattered most.
9. Norv Turner
Turner had talent everywhere but always came up short. Whether it was the Chargers’ prime years or earlier stops, something always derailed the ride.
8. Dan Reeves
Reeves made it to four Super Bowls as a head coach but lost all of them. He got close more than most, but the trophy never found him.
7. Marv Levy
Four straight Super Bowl appearances with the Bills and four straight losses. Levy built a powerhouse, but fate wasn’t on his sideline.
6. Mark Jackson
Jackson helped develop the Warriors’ core, then watched them win titles after he was fired. Timing wasn’t on his side—even if his influence was.
5. Lenny Wilkens
Wilkens is one of the winningest coaches in NBA history but only won one championship. Despite decades of success, luck never carried him to the mountaintop again.
4. Ned Yost (pre-2015)
Before winning it all with the Royals, Yost had years of head-scratching losses and postseason collapses. For a long time, it felt like baseball’s weirdest moments followed him around.
3. Mike Budenholzer
Budenholzer put up big regular season records in Atlanta and Milwaukee but constantly hit playoff walls. Even his championship with the Bucks came with whispers of “he was almost fired.”
Read More: The Most Overhyped Coaches in NFL History
2. Andy Reid (pre-2020)
Reid’s clock management and near-misses were legendary before he finally broke through with the Chiefs. For years, he was the guy who almost always got there—but couldn’t finish.
Read More: Ranking the 10 Most Cynical NFL Coaches of All Time
1. Buck Showalter
Everywhere Buck goes, success follows—right after he leaves. Whether it was the Yankees, Diamondbacks, or Orioles, the big wins always seemed to happen after he packed up.
Read More: 13 NFL Head Coaches Who Deserved a Super Bowl Win
