Mike Schuler
Encyclopedia
Mike Schuler is a former head coach in the National Basketball Association
. He coached the Portland Trail Blazers
(1986–87 to 1988–89) and Los Angeles Clippers
(1990–91 to 1991–92) in 338 games, and compiled a win-loss record of 179–159.
In his first year as coach of the Trail Blazers, Schuler led the team to a 49–33 record, winning the NBA Coach of the Year Award
. He followed that up with a 53–29 campaign, though the season ended in a first-round playoff defeat. In his third season with the Blazers, the team was racked with dissension and posted a 25–22 record before Schuler was fired in mid-February. Then-assistant coach Rick Adelman
was promoted to replace him on an interim basis. After the Blazers reached the 1989 NBA Playoffs
, Adelman was made the head coach on a full-time basis.
One incident Schuler is remembered for occurred at the first press conference that introduced him as the coach of the Trail Blazers, when he fell out of his chair. The footage was seen often on American television in the following days, and Schuler termed it "my instant claim to fame."
National Basketball Association
The National Basketball Association is the pre-eminent men's professional basketball league in North America. It consists of thirty franchised member clubs, of which twenty-nine are located in the United States and one in Canada...
. He coached the Portland Trail Blazers
Portland Trail Blazers
The Portland Trail Blazers, commonly known as the Blazers, are an American professional basketball team based in Portland, Oregon. They play in the Northwest Division of the Western Conference in the National Basketball Association . The Trail Blazers originally played their home games in the...
(1986–87 to 1988–89) and Los Angeles Clippers
Los Angeles Clippers
The Los Angeles Clippers are a professional basketball team based in Los Angeles, California, United States. They play in the Pacific Division of the Western Conference of the National Basketball Association...
(1990–91 to 1991–92) in 338 games, and compiled a win-loss record of 179–159.
In his first year as coach of the Trail Blazers, Schuler led the team to a 49–33 record, winning the NBA Coach of the Year Award
NBA Coach of the Year Award
The National Basketball Association's Coach of the Year is an annual National Basketball Association award given since the 1962–63 NBA season. The winner receives the Red Auerbach Trophy, which is named in honor of the head coach who led the Boston Celtics to nine NBA Championships from 1956 to 1966...
. He followed that up with a 53–29 campaign, though the season ended in a first-round playoff defeat. In his third season with the Blazers, the team was racked with dissension and posted a 25–22 record before Schuler was fired in mid-February. Then-assistant coach Rick Adelman
Rick Adelman
Richard Leonard "Rick" Adelman is an American former basketball professional player and current basketball coach. He is the head coach of the Minnesota Timberwolves of the NBA. Confirmation of the hiring came from the Timberwolves on September 13, 2011...
was promoted to replace him on an interim basis. After the Blazers reached the 1989 NBA Playoffs
1989 NBA Playoffs
The 1989 NBA Playoffs was the postseason tournament of the National Basketball Association's 1988-89 NBA season. The tournament concluded with the Eastern Conference champion Detroit Pistons defeating the Western Conference champion Los Angeles Lakers, who were severely hampered by injuries, four...
, Adelman was made the head coach on a full-time basis.
One incident Schuler is remembered for occurred at the first press conference that introduced him as the coach of the Trail Blazers, when he fell out of his chair. The footage was seen often on American television in the following days, and Schuler termed it "my instant claim to fame."