Golden State Warriors head coach Steve Kerr is remaining with the team after agreeing to a two-year contract extension, but his return wasn’t a guarantee by any means.
In fact, he reportedly told ESPN’s Wright Thompson in April that he was “95 percent” sure that he was going to retire after the season ended.
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A day before the Warriors’ play-in tournament battle against the Los Angeles Clippers, Kerr said “I think it’s over.”
But the Warriors managed to pull out a 126-121 win over the Clippers in a game where they barely held a lead at any point. After the impressive victory, Kerr had a change of heart.
“I’m not leaving,” he told Thompson.
The Warriors would go on to lose the next play-in game to the Phoenix Suns, but something about the Warriors’ previous win over the Clippers caused Kerr to flip his decision.
He went on to agree to an extension with the Warriors this week, locking him in for the next few seasons.
Golden State’s 2025 season may have been deeply ravaged by injuries, but Kerr said he’s grateful for the opportunity to continue coaching the team he’s been leading for over a decade.
“This organization has meant so much to me for the last 12 years − from ownership to our players, our staff and our fans − and it’s an incredible privilege to be a part of something so special,” Kerr said in a news release. “I’m excited to keep competing with this group.”
James Parker is a sports writer for Ball Exclusives, follow him on X @TheJames_Parker
