Tim Grgurich

Tim Grgurich (born June 11, 1942)

Teams coached: Pittsburgh Panthers, UNLV Runnin’ Rebels
Pittsburgh record: 69-70 (.496)
UNLV record: 2-5 (.286)
Overall record: 71-75 (.486)

Career Accomplishments:

  • NCAA National Championships:  0
  • NCAA Tournament Appearances:  0
  • NIT Championships:  0
  • NIT Appearances:  1  (1980)

Coaching Career (head coach, unless noted):

2018-2021 Detroit Pistons (asst)
2016-2018 Milwaukee Bucks (asst)
2010-2016 Dallas Mavericks (asst/consultant)
2005-2010 Denver Nuggets (asst)
2004-2005 Portland Trail Blazers (asst)
2002-2004 Phoenix Suns (asst)
2001-2002 Milwaukee Bucks (asst)
1998-2001 Portland Trail Blazers (asst)
1995-1998 Seattle SuperSonics (asst)
1994-1995 UNLV
1992-1994 Seattle SuperSonics (asst)
1981-1992 UNLV (asst)
1975-1980 Pittsburgh
1964-1975 Pittsburgh (asst)

Tim Grgurich Facts

  • Tim Grgurich
  • Born June 11, 1942
  • Hometown: Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
  • Alma Mater: University of Pittsburgh (BA, 1964)
  • Attended Central Catholic HS in Pittsburgh and then played for his hometown Pitt Panthers under Robert Timmons
  • After graduating in 1964, Grgurich joined Timmons‘ staff as an assistant at his alma mater
  • Elevated to head coach in 1975, leading the Panthers for the next five seasons
    • Went 69-70 during his tenure, reaching the NIT in 1980 but never the NCAA Tournament
  • Joined Jerry Tarkanian‘s staff at UNLV in 1981, working with the Runnin’ Rebels for the next eleven seasons
    • Was there for nine-straight NCAA Tournaments, including three Final Fours and the Rebs’ 1990 NCAA title
    • When Tarkanian resigned amid NCAA sanctions in 1992, Grgurich and the rest of the staff left the school, as well
  • Moved on to the NBA in 1992, spending two seasons working under George Karl with the Seattle SuperSonics
  • Returned to UNLV in 1994, hired right before the season to be the Runnin’ Rebels head coach
    • Stepped away in January 1995 after just seven games (2-5) and checked into a hospital due to exhaustion
    • It was announced in March that Grgurich was officially resigning from his position
      • He also cited bitterness towards the school and athletic department regarding the handling of his and Tarkanian‘s departures a few years prior
  • Rejoined Karl in Seattle through 1998, then worked for a number of other NBA head coaches and franchises through the 2000s
    • In addition to more stints under Karl, he has worked for head coaches Mike Dunleavy, Maurice Cheeks, Rick Carlisle, Jason Kidd and (most recently) for Dwane Casey in Detroit
    • Was a part of the 2010-11 Dallas Mavericks team that won the 2011 NBA Championship

Tim Grgurich Coaching Tree

  • Jim Bolla (Hawaii women’s, UNLV women’s)
  • Cleveland Edwards (UNLV)
  • Bob Hill (Seattle SuperSonics, Fordham, San Antonio Spurs, Indiana Pacers, New York Knicks)
  • Howie Landa (UNLV)
  • Dave Rice (UNLV)