LEAVING A MARK ON MILWAUKEE
KYLE TERADA/USA TODAY SPORTS - Don Nelson won 1,335 games as an NBA head coach with the Bucks, Warriors, Knicks and Mavericks. Nelson replaced a legend to become Bucks’ second head coach 11 Aug 2026 - Milwaukee Journal Sentinel JR Radcliffe Milwaukee Journal Sentinel - USA TODAY NETWORK – WISCONSIN In 1971 the Milwaukee Bucks became NBA champions under the guidance of Larry Costello , who was the only head coach the organization had known since its 1968 inception. By 1976, however, the Bucks’ fortunes had turned, and Costello resigned under pressure after the Bucks lost 15 of their first 18 games in the 1976-77 season. In Costello’s place, the Bucks turned to new assistant Don Nelson. A Muskegon, Michigan, native, Nelson played basketball in an Illinois high school and then college ball at Iowa before getting drafted in 1962 by the Chicago Zephyrs (today the Washington Wizards). That kicked off a 14-year playing career that included a short stint with the Lakers and 11 seasons wit...