The Miami Heat have been one of the most consistent franchises in the NBA since Erik Spoelstra took over as head coach in 2008. The team has won two rings and earned three more Eastern Conference titles. Spoelstra has been the big reason for the team's success but Miami has one of the better assistant coaches in the league with Chris Quinn, who has been with the franchise since 2014 as an assistant coach. He was promoted to Associate Head Coach in 2024.
Bleacher Report released an article, naming the best options for the Golden State Warriors' head coaching job following rumors that Steve Kerr will depart this offseason. Quinn is among those listed.
"If the Warriors are going to tab an assistant to take over, it might make sense to pull from their own bench," the article wrote. "Terry Stotts has NBA head coaching experience, but he's eight years older than Kerr. Bruce Fraser has been on the staff since the 2014 offseason. And Jerry Stackhouse is a former NBA player with head coaching experience in the college ranks. But the hottest name among the league's assistants over the last few years may be Miami Heat 'associate head coach' Chris Quinn. He's a former point guard who's been with the Heat for over a decade. And the only higher-ranked man on that bench has spoken positively about his No. 2."
Quinn was a reported finalist for the Phoenix Suns' head coach opening last summer but ultimately returned to Miami. The longtime assistant began his playing career with the Heat from 2006-2010. Quinn played under Spoelstra before having stints with the New Jersey Nets, San Antonio Spurs and Cleveland Cavaliers.
"Early in this season, Erik Spoelstra credited Quinn for an inbound play he called 'CQ' that won the Heat a game at the last second," the article added. "Spoelstra has also described Quinn as 'instrumental' and a 'major part' of what Miami does. Last offseason, Spoelstra said that he thought Quinn would one day be a coach when he coached Quinn as a player. That's a strong endorsement from a coach generally considered to be one of the best in NBA history. And after a few years of Golden State hovering around mediocrity, it may be time for a shakeup that results in hiring from outside the organization."
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