Nine-time NBA Champion and Golden State Warriors head coach Steve Kerr has all but punched his ticket to the Basketball Hall of Fame, both as a professional basketball player and as a head coach.
Between his time as a player and coaching the winningest regular season of all time with the Golden State Warriors, his induction is only a matter of time. The Warriors head coach has long expected excellence from himself. He had it instilled in him during his childhood, and he passes those lessons on to his children and his basketball team today.
Steve Kerr's Basketball Career
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NBA coach Stephen Douglas Kerr was born in Beirut, Lebanon.
Kerr's father, Malcolm H. Kerr, was a professor and Middle Eastern history specialist. Steve Kerr spent much of his childhood in Lebanon and the surrounding area. He attended Cairo American College in Egypt and American Community School in Beirut before enrolling at Palisades Charter High School in Los Angeles, California. There, Kerr earned a college basketball scholarship to the University of Arizona.
His parents were supportive, but not over-the-top, something Kerr credits as a key to his success. "I found as a kid growing up that I developed better and had more fun because my parents never tried to fight a battle for me with a coach. They hardly said anything. They went to the games and supported me, but they weren't screaming like 'Keep your eye on the ball!'"
During his freshman year in college, Kerr's father died at the American University in Beirut where he worked. The Shia-Lebanese militia declared Islamic Jihad and assassinated William Kerr, among others. The loss of his father was unimaginably difficult on young Steve. Persevering, Kerr played four years at Arizona before being drafted by the Phoenix Suns in the 1988 NBA Draft.
But Steve hadn't made it yet. The Phoenix Suns, Cleveland Cavaliers and Orlando Magic all passed Steve around until he decided to try for the Chicago Bulls in 1993. Michael Jordan had just retired, so Kerr thought he had a chance. Perceptive as always, his instincts proved true. Kerr won three NBA Championships with the Bulls, hitting the series-winning shot over the Utah Jazz in Game 6 of the 1997 NBA Finals.
Steve Kerr won his third championship with the Bulls in 1998 before joining the San Antonio Spurs in 1999. Led by Gregg Popovich, Tony Parker and Tim Duncan, the Spurs won the NBA Finals in 1999 and 2003. Kerr was on both teams, though he was briefly traded to the Portland Trailblazers in between.
Kerr retired on top in 2003. He remained busy as a TNT broadcaster, a part-owner of the Phoenix Suns and a writer for Grantland.
While Kerr has found success everywhere, he's most successful as a basketball coach. He became head coach of the Golden State Warriors in 2014 and immediately led the franchise to an NBA title. The Steph Curry, Klay Thompson and Draymond Green three-headed monster recorded win after win after win, becoming one of the most successful NBA teams of all time.
Steve Kerr's Wife Margot Kerr
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Steve Kerr is marred to Margot Kerr. She was born Margot Brennan in Arizona. Margot's mother, Karen Brennan, was a professor and poet. Karen has since referred to her son-in-law Steve as "from heaven."
Margot grew up in Tucson and attended Salpointe Catholic High School with sister Rachel Brennan and brothers Chris and Geoff. Rachel was involved in a near-fatal motorcycle accident five years after Margot and Steve wed. Despite Margot's sisterly efforts, Rachel has yet to regain her memory.
Margot Brennan met Steve Kerr while they were both Wildcats at Arizona. Kerr's teammate Bruce Fraser needed a friend for a double date and asked if Steve was available. College Kerr had nothing better to do than go on a blind date, fall madly in love with her and stay with her for over 35 years. So he did exactly that.
Margot became Steve's wife in 1990. She followed Kerr from city to city during the tumultuous early years of his now-legendary basketball career.
Steve and Margot's Children
Steve Kerr and family with the Coach of the Year trophy. #Warriors pic.twitter.com/o35PPWz2zd
— 95.7 The Game (@957thegame) April 26, 2016
Kerr and his longtime wife Margot Kerr have three children. Their oldest son, Nick Kerr, was a basketball player for the University of San Diego and University of California. After a coaching internship with the Cal Bears, he joined the coaching staff of his dad's old team, the San Antonio Spurs. Oh, yeah, Nick also dabbles in the rap game.
With Spurs assistant coach Nick Kerr hot on his heels, we may see Kerrs coaching in the NBA for years to come. Whether Steve Kerr makes it to the Hall of Fame or not (he will), he's lived one of the most intriguing lives in NBA history. His wife Margot and the rest of his family will all attest to that.
Madeleine "Maddy" Kerr, Margot's only daughter, played college volleyball at Cal. The other Kerr kid, Matthew Kerr, is the only non-athlete of the bunch. But he still has a supportive team behind him.
The Kerrs re-united under one roof during the 2020 coronavirus pandemic. Margot and Steve were glad to have the children back, if only for a year.
Steve and Margot Kerr have been married for over three decades. But don't tell them that; they still flirt on social media like a couple of teenagers. They are college sweethearts, fellow University of Arizona Wildcats, bonded by love, pain and a family. Margot and Steve Kerr have had a wild ride.
This article was originally published on July 14, 2021, and has been updated since.
