Steve Kerr, Lute Olson, Jerry Marvin

Golden State Warriors head coach Steve Kerr, center, poses with his college coach Lute Olson, left, and high school coach, Jerry Marvin, right, after being named the NBA coach of the year April 26, in Oakland, Calif. Kerr won the award after leading to the Golden State Warriors to the best regular season record in league history.

Sept. 27, 1965: Stephen Douglas Kerr is born to Malcolm and Ann Kerr.

1983: Kerr graduates from Palisades Charter High School in Pacific Palisades, California. He commits to Arizona after a handful of programs pursue him as a walk-on.

Jan. 18, 1984: Malcolm Kerr, president of American University in Beirut, is shot and killed outside his office.

Fall 1984: Kerr is named a regular starter as a UA sophomore, and β€” during the 1984-85 season β€” averages 10 points per game. Arizona finishes 21-10 and makes the NCAA Tournament.

1985-86: Kerr, now an established star, averages 15 points per game as a junior. Arizona wins the Pac-10 regular season title.

Summer 1986: Kerr suffers a career-threatening right knee injury while playing in the World Championship semifinals against Brazil. Tucson doctors repair his knee weeks later, but his senior season is lost.

1987-88: Kerr returns, averages 15.7 points per game β€” and hits 57.3 percent of his 3-point attempts β€” as the Wildcats advance to their first-ever Final Four.

June 28, 1988: The Suns select Kerr in the second round of the NBA Draft.

Sept. 5, 1989: The Suns trade Kerr, who averaged 2.1 points per game as a rookie, to the Cavaliers.

Sept. 15, 1990: Kerr marries Margot Brennan, a Salpointe Catholic High School and UA product.

Dec. 2, 1992: The Cavs trade Kerr to the Magic midseason for a draft pick; Cleveland eventually uses the selection to take Arizona’s Reggie Geary.

Sept. 29, 1993: Kerr signs a free-agent contract with the Chicago Bulls.

1995-96: The Bulls post a 72-10 regular-season record, the best in the history of the NBA, and Michael Jordan β€” with Kerr playing a reserve role β€” wins his first NBA championship.

June 13, 1997: Kerr drains a 3-pointer with 6 seconds remaining to lift the Bulls to an NBA Finals-clinching win over the Jazz. He would win a third ring in 1998.

Jan. 21, 1999: Kerr is traded to the Spurs, where he wins his fourth title.

June 15, 2003: Kerr, back with the Spurs after a stint with the Blazers, wins his fifth NBA championship. He retires shortly after.

June 6, 2007: Kerr, now a television analyst, is named general manager of the Suns. He lasts three years.

May 15, 2014: Kerr is named coach of the Golden State Warriors following four years on television. He has no coaching experience.

June 16, 2015: The Warriors defeat the Cavs 105-97 in Game 6 of the NBA Finals to win a championship.

Oct. 1, 2015: Kerr announces he is taking a leave of absence as he recovers from two offseason back surgeries. Luke Walton, another UA product, replaces him.

Jan. 22: Kerr returns to the team.

April 13: The Warriors beat the Grizzlies 125-104 for their 73rd win, breaking the Bulls’ record.

April 26: Kerr is named NBA Coach of the Year.


Become a #ThisIsTucson member! Your contribution helps our team bring you stories that keep you connected to the community. Become a member today.