Warriors Face Coaching Exodus as Stotts and Stackhouse Seek Head Jobs
The Golden State Warriors will open the 2026-27 season with a significantly reshaped bench after top assistants Terry Stotts and Jerry Stackhouse informed the organization they will not return, multiple sources confirmed Thursday. The departures come just days after the franchise locked down head coach Steve Kerr on a two-year extension, signaling a deliberate transition rather than a rift.
Stotts, who served as Kerr’s lead assistant and offensive coordinator for two seasons, privately told Kerr late in the regular season that he planned to move on. Jerry Stackhouse, a former 18-year NBA veteran and ex-Vanderbilt head coach, is also leaving the staff. Both men are actively pursuing head-coaching opportunities, according to league sources.
The Warriors finished the 2025-26 campaign at 37-45 and were eliminated in the Play-In Tournament by the Phoenix Suns, a disappointing result for a franchise that won four championships under Kerr. Despite the struggles, Kerr’s return was announced May 10, ending weeks of speculation. The coaching changes, however, suggest that the front office and Kerr himself recognize the need for fresh voices.
Contract Expirations and Clean Break
Stotts and Stackhouse’s contracts expired after this past season, making their exits clean rather than contentious. ESPN’s Anthony Slater reported that Stotts left on good terms and remains “open to NBA head coaching opportunities.” Stackhouse, who spent five seasons as Vanderbilt’s head coach before joining the Warriors in 2024, is likewise expected to interview for multiple openings around the league.
This offseason is already shaping up to be one of the most volatile in recent NBA history. The Warriors’ coaching shake-up is just one piece of a larger puzzle that includes major roster decisions, the No. 11 overall pick in next month’s NBA Draft, and a potential blockbuster trade for a superstar. As previously reported, Golden State faces an uphill battle in the Giannis Antetokounmpo sweepstakes, with the Bucks exploring trade offers for the former MVP.
Why This Matters: A Staff in Transition
The simultaneous departures of Stotts and Stackhouse leave Kerr without his two most experienced lieutenants. They follow the exit of longtime assistant Chris DeMarco, who left in late December to become head coach of the WNBA’s New York Liberty. DeMarco had been with the Warriors for 14 seasons, making him a cornerstone of the organization’s culture.
That means Kerr has lost three of his top assistants in less than six months. The incoming staff will likely include a mix of internal promotions and external hires. The Warriors’ reputation for player development and organizational stability makes the openings attractive, but the timing—so late in the offseason calendar—could complicate recruitment.
Stotts’ Journey Back to the Sidelines
For Terry Stotts, the decision to leave Golden State is another chapter in a winding career. He spent nine seasons as head coach of the Portland Trail Blazers, leading them to eight playoff appearances and a Western Conference Finals berth in 2019. He was fired after a first-round loss to the Denver Nuggets in the 2021 playoffs and spent two seasons away from coaching before joining Kerr’s staff in 2024.
Stotts’ brief tenure in the Bay Area was intended to rehabilitate his profile after the Portland exit. Sources indicate he was a steadying presence in a season marred by injuries—Steph Curry missed significant time with a bone bruise in his right knee—and locker-room turbulence. Now 68 years old, Stotts remains eager for one more shot at a head-coaching job, and several teams with vacancies are expected to consider him.
Stackhouse’s Return to the Head-Coaching Hunt
Jerry Stackhouse’s path mirrors Stotts’ in ambition if not in experience. After a decorated playing career that included two All-Star selections, Stackhouse became head coach at Vanderbilt in 2019. He compiled a 63-72 record over five seasons before being dismissed in 2024. He then joined the Warriors as an assistant, where he focused on player development and defensive strategy.
Stackhouse has long been seen as a rising coaching prospect. His work with Golden State’s young wings—particularly Jonathan Kuminga and Moses Moody—earned praise around the league. Multiple front-office executives told ESPN they expect Stackhouse to be a serious candidate for several of the open head-coaching positions this summer.
Broader Implications: What the Warriors’ Coaching Reshuffle Means for the NBA
The departures of Stotts and Stackhouse are not isolated events. They are part of a broader trend of assistant coaches leveraging time on championship-contending staffs to launch head-coaching careers. The Warriors have become a breeding ground for future head coaches, with former assistants such as Mike Brown (Sacramento Kings), Kenny Atkinson (Cleveland Cavaliers), and Luke Walton all graduating to top jobs.
A League-Wide Coaching Carousel
This year’s coaching carousel is already spinning. The Orlando Magic fired head coach Jamahl Mosley on May 4, creating one vacancy. The Philadelphia 76ers dismissed general manager Daryl Morey on May 13, adding front-office uncertainty that often trickles down to the coaching staff. Stotts and Stackhouse will likely be in the mix for those openings, as well as any that emerge in Milwaukee, where the Bucks are reportedly exploring trade scenarios involving Giannis Antetokounmpo.
For the Warriors, the immediate challenge is rebuilding the staff. Kerr and general manager Mike Dunleavy Jr. are expected to address the media Friday to discuss the extension and offseason plans. The new assistants will need to hit the ground running: the team has the No. 11 pick in the draft, critical roster decisions involving Klay Thompson’s free agency, and a win-now mandate from Curry’s aging championship window.
The Kerr Factor
Steve Kerr’s reputation remains a powerful draw. He is universally respected for his communication skills, tactical flexibility, and ability to manage high-ego locker rooms. His two-year extension provides stability for incoming assistants, who know they have at least two seasons with a Hall of Fame coach at the helm.
However, the staff turnover also raises questions about continuity. The Warriors have struggled to recapture the magic of their dynastic runs, and a 37-45 record is not what the franchise envisioned when it committed $400 million-plus to its core. The new assistants will be tasked not only with implementing Kerr’s system but also with adapting to modern NBA trends: pace-and-space, positionless defense, and the increasing importance of analytics.
Looking Ahead: The Offseason’s Ripple Effects
The Warriors’ coaching changes come at a time when the NBA landscape is shifting rapidly. The Oklahoma City Thunder are emerging as a Western Conference powerhouse. The San Antonio Spurs, led by Victor Wembanyama, swept the Timberwolves in the first round. The Detroit Pistons forced a Game 7 against the Cavaliers, signaling a youth movement in the East.
For Golden State, the margin for error is shrinking. Curry turns 38 next season. Draymond Green remains an impactful defender but his offensive limitations have become more pronounced. Andrew Wiggins has been inconsistent. The coaching staff shake-up could accelerate the team’s need to retool around Curry’s final prime years.
What Comes Next for Stotts and Stackhouse
Stotts and Stackhouse will now navigate a head-coaching market that values experience and recent success. Stotts’ 13-year head-coaching record (397-349) and multiple playoff wins make him a compelling candidate for teams looking for a steady hand. Stackhouse’s pedigree and Vanderbilt stint—while not overwhelmingly successful—demonstrate his ability to develop young talent, a skill in demand among rebuilding franchises.
The next few weeks will be pivotal. The NBA Draft Combine is underway, and coaching hires typically accelerate once the Finals conclude. Both men are likely to have interviews scheduled by early June.
A New Chapter for Golden State
The Warriors are not in panic mode. Ownership retains confidence in Kerr, and the front office believes the core can still compete if supplemented properly. But the exodus of trusted assistants underscores the organizational churn that often follows a disappointing season.
Kerr has always valued collaboration and delegation. His coaching staffs have historically been deep and experienced. Losing Stotts and Stackhouse—plus DeMarco—strips that depth. The replacements will need to bring fresh perspectives while preserving the culture that made the Warriors a dynasty.
As the NBA enters what could be a transformative summer, all eyes are on the Bay Area. The Warriors’ coaching shake-up may be just the first domino to fall in a league defined by relentless change.
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