# Doug Christie
**Doug Christie** (Douglas Dale Christie, born 1970 in Seattle, Washington) is an American basketball coach and former player who is the head coach of the [Sacramento Kings](https://www.edgepedia.org/sacramento-kings) of the NBA. As a shooting guard and small forward, he played 15 NBA seasons for seven teams, made four consecutive All-Defensive teams with Sacramento from 2001 to 2004, and later returned to the Kings as a broadcaster, assistant coach, and head coach.[1](https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/c/chrisdo01.html) • [2](https://www.nba.com/kings/news/mike-brown-relieved-as-kings-head-coach)
| Key fact | Detail |
|---|---|
| Born | 1970, Seattle, Washington; Rainier Beach High School; Pepperdine University[1](https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/c/chrisdo01.html) |
| Draft | 1992 NBA Draft, first round, 17th overall, by the Seattle SuperSonics[1](https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/c/chrisdo01.html) |
| Playing career | 15 seasons, 827 games (708 starts), 11.2 points, 4.1 rebounds, 3.6 assists, and 1.9 steals per game with seven teams[2](https://www.nba.com/kings/news/mike-brown-relieved-as-kings-head-coach) |
| Defensive honors | NBA All-Defensive First Team 2002-03; Second Team 2000-01, 2001-02, and 2003-04[2](https://www.nba.com/kings/news/mike-brown-relieved-as-kings-head-coach) |
| Kings steals record | Sacramento-era leader in career steals with 717[3](https://cdn.nba.com/teams/uploads/sites/1610612758/2025/10/2025-26-Sacramento-Kings-Media-Guide-copy.pdf) |
| Head coach | Interim coach of the Kings from December 27, 2024; permanent head coach on May 1, 2025, the 32nd head coach in Kings history[2](https://www.nba.com/kings/news/mike-brown-relieved-as-kings-head-coach) • [4](https://nbacoaches.com/doug-christie/) |
| Coaching record | 49-84 (.368) in the regular season through the 2025-26 season[5](https://www.basketball-reference.com/coaches/chrisdo01c.html) |
## Playing career
Christie played at [Pepperdine University](https://www.edgepedia.org/pepperdine-university) before the [Seattle SuperSonics](https://www.edgepedia.org/seattle-supersonics) selected him 17th overall in the 1992 NBA Draft.[1](https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/c/chrisdo01.html) • [4](https://nbacoaches.com/doug-christie/) During a career spanning 15 seasons, Christie suited up for seven NBA clubs: the [Los Angeles Lakers](https://www.edgepedia.org/los-angeles-lakers) (1992-94), the New York Knicks (1994-96), the Toronto Raptors (1995-2000), the Sacramento Kings (2000-05), the Orlando Magic and the Dallas Mavericks (2004-05 and 2005-06), and the Los Angeles Clippers (2006-07).[3](https://cdn.nba.com/teams/uploads/sites/1610612758/2025/10/2025-26-Sacramento-Kings-Media-Guide-copy.pdf) His career averages were 11.2 points, 4.1 rebounds, 3.6 assists, and 1.9 steals per game in 827 games, 708 of them starts.[2](https://www.nba.com/kings/news/mike-brown-relieved-as-kings-head-coach)
**Defense as an identity.** Christie was not always known as a defender; from high school through his early NBA years he focused on offense. A conversation with then-Knicks head coach [Pat Riley](https://www.edgepedia.org/pat-riley) redirected him toward becoming a stopper rather than a scorer.[6](https://www.nba.com/kings/blog/doug-christies-defensive-tips) In Sacramento, where he wore No. 13, that approach earned him three All-Defensive Second Team selections and one First Team selection across four consecutive seasons from 2001 to 2004.[6](https://www.nba.com/kings/blog/doug-christies-defensive-tips) He is remembered for chasing opposing scorers, including [Kobe Bryant](https://www.edgepedia.org/kobe-bryant), around the floor, and he remains the Sacramento-era franchise leader with 717 career steals.[7](https://as.com/baloncesto/nba/cada-vez-mas-lejos-de-los-cavs-n/) • [3](https://cdn.nba.com/teams/uploads/sites/1610612758/2025/10/2025-26-Sacramento-Kings-Media-Guide-copy.pdf)
His five Kings seasons from 2000 to 2005 all reached the postseason, and the 2002 team advanced to the Western Conference Finals under coach [Rick Adelman](https://www.edgepedia.org/rick-adelman), alongside teammates including [Chris Webber](https://www.edgepedia.org/chris-webber), Mike Bibby, Vlade Divac, and Peja Stojakovic.[2](https://www.nba.com/kings/news/mike-brown-relieved-as-kings-head-coach) • [8](https://elpais.com/deportes/baloncesto/2026-06-02/muere-rick-adelman-mentor-de-ricky-rubio-en-la-nba.html)
## Broadcasting and assistant coaching
After retiring as a player, Christie spent four seasons as the Kings' full-time color analyst from 2017 to 2021, then joined the coaching staff as an assistant under head coaches [Luke Walton](https://www.edgepedia.org/luke-walton) (2020-21), [Alvin Gentry](https://www.edgepedia.org/alvin-gentry) (2021-22), and [Mike Brown](https://www.edgepedia.org/mike-brown-basketball-born-1970) (2022-24), helping the team reach an NBA playoff berth in 2023.[2](https://www.nba.com/kings/news/mike-brown-relieved-as-kings-head-coach) • [4](https://nbacoaches.com/doug-christie/)
## Head coach of the Kings
On December 27, 2024, with the Kings at 13-18, general manager Monte McNair announced that Mike Brown had been relieved of his duties and named Christie interim head coach.[2](https://www.nba.com/kings/news/mike-brown-relieved-as-kings-head-coach) In 51 games as interim coach, Christie went 27-24 and led the team to the SoFi Play-In Tournament, where Sacramento lost to the [Dallas Mavericks](https://www.edgepedia.org/dallas-mavericks) in the No. 9 vs. No. 10 seed game and missed the playoffs.[9](https://www.nba.com/news/doug-christie-named-coach-kings) During those 51 games the Kings ranked 11th in points per game (116.2), 10th in offensive rating (116.6), and third in defensive rebounding percentage (73.0%).[3](https://cdn.nba.com/teams/uploads/sites/1610612758/2025/10/2025-26-Sacramento-Kings-Media-Guide-copy.pdf)
On May 1, 2025, the Kings agreed to a contract with Christie, removing the interim tag and making him the 32nd head coach in franchise history, counting full-time and interim coaches.[9](https://www.nba.com/news/doug-christie-named-coach-kings) • [4](https://nbacoaches.com/doug-christie/) General manager [Scott Perry](https://www.edgepedia.org/scott-perry) cited his toughness, discipline, defensive mindset, and ability to connect with players.[9](https://www.nba.com/news/doug-christie-named-coach-kings) The 2024-25 season ended with Sacramento at 40-42, ninth in the Western Conference.[10](https://as.com/baloncesto/nba/doug-christie-se-convierte-en-entrenador-permanente-de-los-kings-n/)
**The 2025-26 season.** Injuries to [Domantas Sabonis](https://www.edgepedia.org/domantas-sabonis) and [Keegan Murray](https://www.edgepedia.org/keegan-murray) contributed to a 22-60 finish, tied near the bottom of the Western Conference, and the Kings announced in April 2026 that Christie would be retained for the following season.[5](https://www.basketball-reference.com/coaches/chrisdo01c.html) • [11](https://locable-assets-production.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/resource/file/1288611/DIV-04-17-2026.pdf?timestamp=1776352937) His career head coaching record stands at 49-84 (.368).[5](https://www.basketball-reference.com/coaches/chrisdo01c.html)
## Defensive philosophy
In a 2016 interview with Kings.com, Christie laid out the elements he considers central to defense: a short-term memory after giving up a basket, constant team communication including physical signals for loud arenas, positioning relative to man and ball, anticipation with footwork and balance, and the willingness to compete on a end of the floor that rarely draws attention.[6](https://www.nba.com/kings/blog/doug-christies-defensive-tips) He described communication as "probably the biggest thing," noting that the teams communicating at the highest level become the best defensive teams.[6](https://www.nba.com/kings/blog/doug-christies-defensive-tips)
## References
1. [Doug Christie Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft Status | Basketball-Reference.com](https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/c/chrisdo01.html)
2. [Mike Brown Relieved as Kings Head Coach; Doug Christie Named Interim Head Coach, Sacramento Kings](https://www.nba.com/kings/news/mike-brown-relieved-as-kings-head-coach)
3. [Sacramento Kings 2025-26 Media Guide, Coaching Staff](https://cdn.nba.com/teams/uploads/sites/1610612758/2025/10/2025-26-Sacramento-Kings-Media-Guide-copy.pdf)
4. [Doug Christie, NBA Coaches Association](https://nbacoaches.com/doug-christie/)
5. [Doug Christie Coaching Record, Basketball-Reference.com](https://www.basketball-reference.com/coaches/chrisdo01c.html)
6. [Doug Christie's Defensive Tips, Sacramento Kings](https://www.nba.com/kings/blog/doug-christies-defensive-tips)
7. [Cada vez más lejos de los Cavs, AS English](https://as.com/baloncesto/nba/cada-vez-mas-lejos-de-los-cavs-n/)
8. [Muere Rick Adelman, mentor de Ricky Rubio en la NBA, El País](https://elpais.com/deportes/baloncesto/2026-06-02/muere-rick-adelman-mentor-de-ricky-rubio-en-la-nba.html)
9. [Kings remove interim tag from coach Doug Christie, NBA.com](https://www.nba.com/news/doug-christie-named-coach-kings)
10. [Doug Christie se convierte en entrenador permanente de los Kings, AS English](https://as.com/baloncesto/nba/doug-christie-se-convierte-en-entrenador-permanente-de-los-kings-n/)
11. [Messenger Publishing Group, April 17, 2026](https://locable-assets-production.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/resource/file/1288611/DIV-04-17-2026.pdf?timestamp=1776352937)
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*Topic: Encyclopedia › Sports, games, and recreation › Other team and ball sports › Basketball and court team sports › Basketball players and coaches (biographies) › NBA head coaches*
*Initially written Sep 17, 2026 · Reviewed: Oct 21, 2026 · Edited: Oct 12, 2026; Oct 15, 2026; Oct 21, 2026 · Last review: Oct 21, 2026*
*Copyright 2026 EdgeChat AI, a subsidiary of Biostate AI.*
License: Edgepedia Community License 1.0, https://www.edgepedia.org/edgepedia/license