Why would he ever go back? Why would he want to leave a good job in television to get back on the sidelines? Those were the questions facing Mark Jackson as he was a finalist for an NBA head coaching job again. Jackson interviewed for both the Lakers’ and Kings’ vacancies in the last few weeks as he looked to get back into the coaching ranks.
Following his playing days, Jackson got involved in television, then left the media gig for the head coaching spot with the Warriors. Jackson coached at Golden State for three seasons winning 12 more games than he lost. He led the Warriors to the postseason twice, but after losing a Game 7 first round playoff game in 2014, he was fired and headed back to television.
He is currently an ABC/ESPN analyst working on the top broadcast team with Mike Breen and Jeff Van Gundy. Jackson is at the top of his game, carving out a great niche for himself alongside Van Gundy. The two make a terrific pair, playing off each other extremely well, with the traffic cop being Breen. There is a chemistry between the three that’s pretty much evident in every broadcast. There is a unique bond between the two analysts as well.
As I wrote about a year ago, the banter and comradery between them go back to when all three were with the Knicks. Because of their familiarity, the disagreements at times could sound heated on the air. But what you have to understand is that friends can take these liberties with each other and know exactly where that line is, and never cross it. In other words, Jackson is in a good spot and working with good friends. It seems to be a great situation for him, but the coaching bug hasn’t left his system.
Jackson’s time in Golden State was not without its bumps in the road. There are many who feel like the fallout from his first, and so far, only head coaching job, is keeping him from the next opportunity. There was a perception that Jackson couldn’t get along with anyone in the Warriors front office. Some felt like he pushed his religion on his players as well. Whatever the case, he hasn’t gotten another chance since.
Which brings me back to the question. Why leave the relatively low stress life as a top analyst for the grind and high-stress that goes along with a head coaching position? A couple of years ago, before an NBA Finals broadcast, the question was posed to Jackson about whether he’d like to return to the sidelines. He appeared on Club Shay Shay with Shannon Sharpe.
“Well, obviously it’s an incredible job we have and we’re blessed and fortunate to be able to call another NBA Finals,” he said. “I think coaching is in both of our veins (he and Jeff Van Gundy), and we look forward to the day — I know I can speak for myself and say I look forward to the day that I’m coaching again, but I’m having a blast.”
During that interview in September of 2021, he was asked why he currently didn’t have a head coaching job in the NBA.
”I don’t know. That’s the full answer I do not know. What I will say is that I look forward to the day that I am coaching again. It will happen, I truly believe that with everything in me.”
Once it’s in the blood, I guess it’s always there, right? What else could explain it? I get it, but still, why? Is it the challenge? Is it a respect thing? It could be all of the above. But there’s another side to it.
Of all the former players, coaches and managers I’ve ever worked with, they’ve all said pretty much the same thing. Something along the lines of, “wow, it’s great to put down the headset at the end of a game and just go home.” No hours of breaking down what went right or wrong in that particular game, no time figuring out tomorrow’s lineup, no worrying about that 0-for-15 slump, no watching hours of tape trying to game plan for those next hoops opponents.
It’s freeing to be in the booth. That’s the impression that I get.
All former players or coaches have to do in their role is rely on previous experience to describe what is happening. They aren’t responsible for wins or losses. They don’t have to worry about correcting players’ mistakes. As an analyst, you can try and predict a move, and not be responsible if it doesn’t work. You have no skin in that game. Analysts get paid a lot of money to second guess, not to be second guessed. Seems like an ideal situation, doesn’t it?
What could still be the lure? I’m sure in Jackson’s mind there is no way to compete with his desires to be back as a head coach in the NBA. He probably wants to prove that he can coach again, to show either that he’s learned from that first experience or that the common perception of his first experience is not accurate.
Well, he is great on TV. The partnership with Van Gundy and Breen works. There’s safety for himself in this current job. He’s guaranteed a trip to the NBA Finals every season. Isn’t that more appealing than coaching a team in need of a reboot?
Andy Masur is a columnist for BSM and works for WGN Radio as an anchor and play-by-play announcer. He also teaches broadcasting at the Illinois Media School. During his career he has called games for the Chicago Cubs, San Diego Padres and Chicago White Sox. He can be found on Twitter @Andy_Masur1 or you can reach him by email at Andy@Andy-Masur.com.
