Golden State Warriors head coach Steve Kerr came within a week or two of the regular season of deciding to leave his position, according to admissions he made during an appearance on the Tom Tolbert Show. The four-time championship coach admitted that a grueling season finale featuring a play-in tournament elimination pushed him to the brink of stepping down before a series of clear-the-air meetings with team leadership altered his trajectory.
Steve Kerr’s Near-Departure from the Golden State Warriors
The 2025–26 NBA season tested the limits of the Golden State Warriors and their coaching staff. Following a demanding regular season that ended with a tough play-in tournament exit, Steve Kerr quietly wrestled with his future. Speaking publicly about the ordeal, Kerr revealed that his mind was made up as the regular season wound down. According to his comments on the Tom Tolbert Show, he felt a distinct internal signal that his tenure had reached its natural end.
“Había decidido irme cuando faltaba una o dos semanas para terminar la temporada regular,” Kerr recalled, noting that he kept his internal deliberations entirely to himself at the time. He simply thought that it was time to step away, feeling strongly that he had reached that point.
What Changed Steve Kerr’s Mind?
Despite his private resolve to walk away, Kerr did not make a unilateral exit. Instead, he and the franchise’s front office agreed to press pause and let the immediate emotions of a frustrating campaign cool down. That cooling-off period proved pivotal for the future of the Golden State Warriors.
According to coverage of his radio appearance, Kerr engaged in three separate meetings with Warriors owner Joe Lacob, executive vice president Kirk Lacob, and general manager Mike Dunleavy Jr. These discussions focused on evaluating the current roster and the team’s future. The dialogue ultimately convinced Kerr to reverse course and commit to a two-year contract extension during the playoffs, ensuring he remains the second longest-tenured head coach in the NBA behind Erik Spoelstra.
Embracing the Underdog Label for 2026–27
Rather than shying away from critics, the veteran coach has leaned into the skepticism surrounding the roster.
“Todo el mundo nos descarta, y me parece bien… Que digan lo que quieran,” Kerr stated regarding prognosticators writing off the Warriors. He expressed total confidence in the team’s preparation, highlighting a coaching staff that worked throughout the summer and a group of younger players grinding in the gym daily. As the team prepares for the 2026-2027 season, Kerr’s decision to stay keeps the leadership intact in San Francisco.
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