J.B. Bickerstaff has been named the 2026 Michael H. Goldberg NBCA Coach of the Year for his remarkable turnaround with the Detroit Pistons, who finished the season 60-22 and secured the top seed in the Eastern Conference.
Key points
J.B. Bickerstaff named 2026 Coach of the Year
Led Detroit Pistons to a 60-22 record
Pistons clinched No. 1 seed in Eastern Conference
Award announced by National Basketball Coaches Association
Bickerstaff expressed gratitude for support and inspiration
Mentioned in this story
J.B. BickerstaffDetroit Pistons
Michael H. Goldberg NBCA Coach of the Year AwardNBA
Pistons' J.B. Bickerstaff named coach of the year by NBCA
J.B. Bickerstaff has directed one of the most impressive turnarounds in NBA history with the Detroit Pistons. His peers have acknowledged his work.
The Pistons' head coach was named the winner of the 2026 Michael H. Goldberg NBCA Coach of the Year Award, the National Basketball Coaches Association announced on Friday, April 17. The honor comes after the Pistons' 60-22 overall season, which clinched the No. 1 seed in the Eastern Conference.
“I’m extremely honored to receive this recognition from my coaching peers,” Bickerstaff said in a press release. “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.
In 2026, Bickerstaff led the Pistons to a 16-win improvement over their 44-38 finish in 2024-25 – a season that represented an even larger leap forward from their 14-68 collapse in 2023-24. They are the second-best defensive team in the league behind only the defending champion Oklahoma City Thunder, embracing a physical, relentless brand that's clicked with roster personnel and the fan base.
All 30 NBA coaches are voters for the NBCA award, which goes to the coach viewed as the best leader of their team both on-and-off the court.
Q&A
Who is J.B. Bickerstaff and why was he named Coach of the Year?
J.B. Bickerstaff is the head coach of the Detroit Pistons, recognized for leading the team to a 60-22 record and the top seed in the Eastern Conference, earning the 2026 Coach of the Year award.
What is the Michael H. Goldberg NBCA Coach of the Year Award?
The Michael H. Goldberg NBCA Coach of the Year Award is an honor given by the National Basketball Coaches Association to recognize outstanding coaching performance in the NBA.
What was the Pistons' record this season under Bickerstaff?
The Detroit Pistons finished the season with a 60-22 overall record under J.B. Bickerstaff's leadership.
When was the Coach of the Year award announced?
The Coach of the Year award was announced on Friday, April 17, 2026, by the National Basketball Coaches Association.
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Detroit Pistons center Isaiah Stewart dunks the ball during the first half against the Indiana Pacers at Gainbridge Fieldhouse on Sunday, April 12, 2026 in Indianapolis.
Detroit Pistons forward Tobias Harris shoots the ball against the Indiana Pacers during the first half at Gainbridge Fieldhouse on Sunday, April 12, 2026 in Indianapolis.
Detroit Pistons center Paul Reed dunks during the first half against the Indiana Pacers at Gainbridge Fieldhouse on Sunday, April 12, 2026 in Indianapolis.
Indiana Pacers forward Jalen Slawson steals the ball from Detroit Pistons forward Tobias Harris in the first half at Gainbridge Fieldhouse on Sunday, April 12, 2026 in Indianapolis.
Indiana Pacers guard Taelon Peter shoots against Detroit Pistons center Isaiah Stewart in the first half at Gainbridge Fieldhouse on Sunday, April 12, 2026 in Indianapolis.
Detroit Pistons guard Cade Cunningham dribbles against Indiana Pacers center Micah Potter in the first half at Gainbridge Fieldhouse on Sunday, April 12, 2026 in Indianapolis.
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Detroit Pistons vs Indiana Pacers in Game 82 to end NBA regular season
Detroit Pistons center Isaiah Stewart dunks the ball during the first half against the Indiana Pacers at Gainbridge Fieldhouse on Sunday, April 12, 2026 in Indianapolis.
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Detroit Pistons vs Indiana Pacers in Game 82 to end NBA regular season
Detroit Pistons center Isaiah Stewart dunks the ball during the first half against the Indiana Pacers at Gainbridge Fieldhouse on Sunday, April 12, 2026 in Indianapolis.
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Detroit Pistons vs Indiana Pacers in Game 82 to end NBA regular season
Detroit Pistons forward Tobias Harris shoots the ball against the Indiana Pacers during the first half at Gainbridge Fieldhouse on Sunday, April 12, 2026 in Indianapolis.
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Detroit Pistons vs Indiana Pacers in Game 82 to end NBA regular season
Detroit Pistons center Paul Reed dunks during the first half against the Indiana Pacers at Gainbridge Fieldhouse on Sunday, April 12, 2026 in Indianapolis.
4 / 6
Detroit Pistons vs Indiana Pacers in Game 82 to end NBA regular season
Indiana Pacers forward Jalen Slawson steals the ball from Detroit Pistons forward Tobias Harris in the first half at Gainbridge Fieldhouse on Sunday, April 12, 2026 in Indianapolis.
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Detroit Pistons vs Indiana Pacers in Game 82 to end NBA regular season
Indiana Pacers guard Taelon Peter shoots against Detroit Pistons center Isaiah Stewart in the first half at Gainbridge Fieldhouse on Sunday, April 12, 2026 in Indianapolis.
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Detroit Pistons vs Indiana Pacers in Game 82 to end NBA regular season
Detroit Pistons guard Cade Cunningham dribbles against Indiana Pacers center Micah Potter in the first half at Gainbridge Fieldhouse on Sunday, April 12, 2026 in Indianapolis.
“J.B. Bickerstaff is extremely deserving of this award and the recognition from his fellow Head Coaches,” said David Fogel, NBCA Executive Director and General Counsel, in a statement. “This season Coach Bickerstaff has shown the ultimate dedication to the coaching profession. Not only has he guided the Pistons to one of the best seasons in franchise history, but his coaching peers also elected him as the sixth President in NBCA history. Congratulations to Coach Bickerstaff, the Pistons assistant coaches, and the entire organization on winning the Michael H. Goldberg NBCA Coach of the Year Award.”
[ MUST WATCH: See the most recent episode of our podcast, "The Pistons Pulse,” streamed live weekly on the Detroit Free Press YouTube channel or listen wherever you get podcasts. ]
