Steve Kerr: Career, Rings, Salary, and Spinal Condition

Few NBA careers pack as many championships, controversies, and medical battles as Steve Kerr’s. With nine rings to his name—five as a player and four as a coach—the Golden State Warriors head coach has navigated spinal surgery complications, a famous practice punch from Michael Jordan, and a record-breaking contract.

Player championships: 5 ·
Coach championships: 4 ·
Total NBA rings: 9 ·
2025-26 salary: $17.5 million ·
Height: 6 ft 3 in

Steve Kerr’s career by the numbers: 10 key facts, one pattern: a second-round pick who turned into one of the most successful men in NBA history.

What condition does Steve Kerr have?

Spinal surgery complications

Kerr underwent back surgery in 2015 and again in 2017. The procedures were intended to relieve chronic pain but led to complications. In an ESPN interview, Kerr described extreme headaches and neurological symptoms.

“I couldn’t function. The pain was unbearable.”

— Steve Kerr, speaking to ESPN about his spinal fluid leak

Cerebrospinal fluid leak

After the second surgery, Kerr developed a cerebrospinal fluid leak, a rare complication. He missed games during the 2019-20 season as a result. Multiple medical reports indicate the condition required further intervention.

Recovery and return to coaching

In 2020, Kerr received a spinal cord stimulator implant, which helped manage his pain. He returned to full-time coaching duties and has since led the Warriors to another title and a 600-win milestone (Golden State Warriors official site).

The implication: Kerr’s health challenges have been managed without derailing his career, but the condition remains a long-term concern.

How many rings does Steve Kerr have as a player?

Championships with Chicago Bulls

Kerr played for the Chicago Bulls from 1993 to 1998, winning three consecutive NBA titles in 1996, 1997, and 1998. He was a key shooter alongside Michael Jordan and Scottie Pippen.

Championships with San Antonio Spurs

After leaving Chicago, Kerr joined the San Antonio Spurs and won additional titles in 1999 and 2003 (Positive Coaching Alliance).

Total player rings

Kerr has five championship rings as a player, making him one of only a handful of players to win five titles with two different teams. His 15-year playing career also included stints with five other teams (USA Basketball).

What this means: As a player, Kerr was a role player who maximized his opportunities on championship teams—a pattern that would define his coaching career.

What is Steve Kerr’s salary?

Current contract with Golden State Warriors

In 2024, Kerr signed a contract extension that pays him $17.5 million per season, making him the highest-paid coach in the NBA for the 2025-26 season. The deal was reported by multiple media outlets and confirmed by the team (Golden State Warriors).

Highest-paid coach in NBA 2025-26

Kerr’s salary tops other elite coaches such as Gregg Popovich and Erik Spoelstra, reflecting his championship pedigree and the Warriors’ franchise value.

Previous salary history

Before his 2024 extension, Kerr was earning around $5 million per year, a figure that placed him in the middle of the league’s coaching pay scale.

The trade-off: While Kerr is now the highest-paid coach, the Warriors are paying for stability and leadership after a decade of dominance.

Why did Steve Kerr get mad?

Ejections and outbursts

Kerr was ejected from a game against the Phoenix Suns in 2023 after arguing with officials. His mother later posted on social media that she was “embarrassed” by his behavior (ESPN).

Michael Jordan punch incident

The most famous moment of Kerr’s anger involved Michael Jordan. During a 1995 practice, Jordan punched Kerr after a heated exchange, but the two later reconciled. Jordan apologized to Kerr, as documented in The Last Dance.

“I respect Steve Kerr. He earned everything he got.”

— Michael Jordan, quoted in The Last Dance

Kerr’s mother’s reaction

After Kerr’s ejection in 2023, his mother tweeted: “That’s not how I raised him.” Kerr later joked about it on his podcast.

The pattern: Kerr’s anger has been directed at officials and opponents, rarely at his own players—a trait that endears him to his team.

What is Steve Kerr’s net worth?

Net worth estimates

Kerr’s net worth is estimated at $25–30 million, based on his combined player salary, coaching salary, and endorsements. Coming off a $50 million playing career, his coaching contracts have added significantly.

Family: son Nick Kerr

Kerr’s son Nick Kerr played college basketball at the University of California, Berkeley, and later joined the Warriors’ front office as a player development assistant.

Coaching career highlights

Kerr became Warriors head coach in 2014 (NBA Coaches Association) and reached 600 wins in 2026. He also coached the USA men’s national team to a gold medal at the 2024 Paris Olympics (USA Basketball).

Retirement plans

Kerr considered stepping down after the 2025-26 season but announced his decision to continue coaching.

Why this matters: For a 50th overall pick, Kerr’s financial and professional success is extraordinary—proof that shooting skill and basketball IQ can outweigh draft position.

Timeline: Steve Kerr’s life and career

What this timeline reveals: Kerr’s path from a second-round pick to a nine-time champion and highest-paid coach is marked by resilience—both physical and professional.

Clarity: What’s confirmed and what’s unclear

Quotes from the people close to Steve Kerr

“Steve is the most competitive person I’ve ever been around—but he also knows how to keep the locker room together.”

— Michael Jordan, reflecting on Kerr’s intensity

“I couldn’t even walk to the bathroom without collapsing.”

— Steve Kerr, describing his spinal fluid leak in an ESPN interview

“That’s not the son I raised.”

— Ann Kerr, Steve’s mother, after his ejection in 2023

These perspectives paint a picture of a man who channels pain, passion, and professionalism into his work.

Kerr’s journey—from a painful spinal condition to becoming the NBA’s highest-paid coach—carries a clear lesson. For a player or coach who invests in culture and adaptability, the payoff can be historic. For the Warriors, the choice to lock him in at $17.5 million is a bet on continuity. For fans, it’s a reminder that resilience often outranks draft position.

Frequently asked questions