Pistons' J.B. Bickerstaff Named Coach of the Year by Peers

Bickerstaff honored with Michael H. Goldberg award from National Basketball Coaches Association

Apr. 18, 2026 at 12:19am

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A cubist, geometric painting depicting fragmented, overlapping shapes in navy, green, and orange, representing the strategic complexity and multi-faceted nature of NBA coaching.Bickerstaff's strategic brilliance and ability to rally his team through adversity have earned him the respect of his coaching peers.Today in Detroit

J.B. Bickerstaff, the head coach of the Detroit Pistons, has been named the 2025-26 Coach of the Year by the National Basketball Coaches Association. Bickerstaff led the Pistons to a 60-22 record and the No. 1 seed in the Eastern Conference despite star player Cade Cunningham missing 11 games late in the season.

Why it matters

The Coach of the Year award from the National Basketball Coaches Association is seen as a prestigious honor, as it is voted on by Bickerstaff's peers in the coaching community. This award is often a precursor to the NBA's official Coach of the Year award, which is voted on by select members of the media.

The details

Bickerstaff orchestrated a dramatic turnaround for the Pistons, who went from winning just 14 games two seasons ago to securing the No. 1 seed in the East this past season. The Pistons achieved this success despite the absence of star player Cade Cunningham, who missed 11 games late in the season due to a collapsed lung.

  • The Pistons went 60-22 during the 2025-26 NBA season.
  • Cade Cunningham missed 11 games late in the season due to a collapsed lung.

The players

J.B. Bickerstaff

The head coach of the Detroit Pistons, who was named the 2025-26 Coach of the Year by the National Basketball Coaches Association.

Cade Cunningham

The star player for the Detroit Pistons, who missed 11 games late in the 2025-26 season due to a collapsed lung.

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What they’re saying

“I'm extremely honored to receive this recognition from my coaching peers. None of this is possible without the many people I've been blessed with along my journey, beginning with my dad, who has always been my inspiration for wanting to get into this profession, and my family for their love and support. I also owe a tremendous amount of gratitude to all the coaches I've worked with and learned from throughout my career.”

— J.B. Bickerstaff, Head Coach, Detroit Pistons

What’s next

Bickerstaff will look to lead the Pistons to a deep playoff run after securing the No. 1 seed in the Eastern Conference.

The takeaway

Bickerstaff's Coach of the Year award from his peers is a testament to the remarkable turnaround he has engineered in Detroit, transforming the Pistons from a 14-win team to the top seed in the East despite key injuries. This honor puts him in line for the NBA's official Coach of the Year award and solidifies his reputation as one of the league's top young coaching talents.