Atkinson is the first Cavaliers head coach to win the prestigious award since Mike Brown in 2009. He won the award over Detroit Pistons head coach J.B. Bickerstaff and Houston Rockets head coach Ime Udoka.

Atkinson is the third coach in franchise history to receive the distinguished honor, joining Mike Brown (2008-09) and Bill Fitch (1975-76).

Kenny Atkinson’s new team won its first 15 games and never looked back. Atkinson was always in the driver’s seat for, and eventually to win, NBA Coach of the Year this season. Atkinson, 57, was the first coach in league history to win 15 games in a row at the start of a season with a new team and just the fifth to win at least 64 in his first campaign with a franchise — in this case,