When JJ Redick took over as the Los Angeles Lakers’ head coach in June 2024, you could feel the buzz. The man’s a fresh face in the coaching world, no prior experience, and he jumps straight into one of the most high-stakes gigs in all of sports? That’s no small move. But don’t get it twisted—Redick’s got that rare basketball mind that you can’t just teach. He’s got that X’s and O’s knowledge, that veteran presence, and the confidence to lead a locker room full of megastars. He knows what it takes to win, and he’s been under some of the best to ever do it.
Day one, he set the tone: this ain’t about podcasts or hot takes—this is all about rings.
And so far? He’s making an impact.
Redick’s been revamping the Lakers’ offense and the players. They’re buying in. The energy is different, the vibe is different and the early returns show some promise. The road to the top ain’t easy, but Redick’s intensity and prep game could have the Lakers shaking up the West in a big way.
Now, if you know Redick, you know this is a guy who’s always been about learning. From his days at Duke under the legendary Coach K to a career in the NBA that spanned over a decade, Redick’s been soaking up knowledge from the best in the game. But who really molded him?
Outside of Coach K, who influenced him the most? Redick broke it down for me.
Coaches Who Shaped Him
“I’ve been lucky to have a number of great coaches in my life,” Redick tells me. “Starting with Delmar Irving with the Roanoke Jaguars. Chris Morris when I was in 8th grade, Billy Hicks my high school coach, Boo Williams in AAU. I always respected the role of coaching, and of course, I had the privilege of playing for one of the greatest coaches in any sport, Coach K.”
But Redick didn’t stop there. The NBA gave him a new lens on leadership and coaching at the highest level.
“In the NBA, Stan [Van Gundy] was key for me, Doc [Rivers] obviously, and Brett [Brown] was a great influence too. With each of them, I took bits and pieces for my own philosophy. Daily messaging, you know? But honestly, coming into this role, it’s a whole new game. You’ve gotta be yourself, but you also gotta stay open-minded. It’s been a ride, and honestly, the only thing that’s caught me off guard was the Palisades fires.”
What’s Next for Redick?
JJ Redick’s always been synonymous with sharp shooting, reliability and smarts on the court. Now, as a coach, that same basketball IQ and passion he’s got runs deep. You can’t match his knowledge or his hunger for the game. Redick’s just getting started in this new role, and trust, he’s not backing down from the challenge. Keep an eye on him—this could be just the beginning of something special.
