Steve Kerr, head coach of the Golden State Warriors, found himself in hot water recently, not just for his team’s performance but also for an incident that left his mother disappointed. In a gripping match against the Los Angeles Clippers, Kerr was ejected late in the fourth quarter during a closely contested game that ended in a one-point loss for the Warriors. His emotional display, involving back-to-back technical fouls for arguing a missed goaltending call, drew the attention of not only fans and analysts but also his 91-year-old mother, Ann Kerr, who was in attendance.
Kerr recounted the aftermath of his ejection, noting that his mother expressed her disapproval and looked “horrified.” She even asked him if he intended to hit the referee, to which Kerr assured her, “Mom, I’ve never hit anybody in my life.” He acknowledged that the scene, where Gary Payton II, Gui Santos, and assistant coach Terry Stotts had to hold him back, might have looked dramatic, especially to someone who wasn’t familiar with the intensity of competitive basketball.
While he didn’t dive into specifics about what triggered his frustrations during the game, Kerr admitted that he was upset about a couple of calls made by the officiating crew. He humorously noted that his mother has previously questioned him about his temper but seemed especially concerned after this incident.
In a light-hearted moment, Kerr hinted at his sibling relationship by joking, “Maybe my little brother,” when reflecting on past family dynamics and his mother’s worries.
Adding to the narrative, Bucks coach Doc Rivers chimed in with a humorous remark about Kerr’s ejection, sharing his own experiences of disappointing his late mother during his coaching career. Rivers acknowledged that it is difficult to control emotions during games, especially when the stakes are high.
As Kerr prepares for the upcoming game against the Milwaukee Bucks, it’s clear that while he faces the pressure of coaching a high-profile team, the support and concern from his family—particularly his mother—reminds him of the personal impact of his professional choices. This blend of competitive spirit and familial support illustrates the multi-faceted roles coaches play both on and off the court.