Mark Daigneault has served as the head coach of the Oklahoma City Thunder since November 2020. He guided the Thunder to a 68–14 record in the 2023–24 season using a player-first and defense-oriented technique, earning Coach of the Year honors in the NBA. In 2025, he was selected as the head coach for the NBA All-Star Game which confirmed his position among the league’s top young coaching stars.
Quick Info |
|
|---|---|
| Real Name: | Mark Daigneault |
| Birth Date: | February 23, 1985 |
| Age (as of 2025): | 40 Years |
| Birth Place: | Leominster, Massachusetts, USA |
| Height: | – |
| Wife: | Ashley Kerr |
Early Life
Mark Daigneault was born on 1985 in Leominster, Massachusetts. His father, Rick Daigneault, played baseball in college at the College of the Holy Cross, so sports were always important in Mark’s family. When he was younger, Mark spent time in basketball camps run by Mark Osowski, an NBA assistant coach who served as an important role model for him. Daigneault developed a passion for hockey and learned important lessons about coaching while at Osowski’s camps. After graduating from high school, Daigneault began studying Education at the University of Connecticut (UConn).
From 2003 to 2007, he worked as a student manager for the UConn men’s basketball team under Coach Jim Calhoun. In this role, Mark’s duties included organizing practices and overseeing the preparation of scouting reports. Daigneault was able to learn quickly about program-building, strategy and team culture by working with Calhoun and the coaching staff. Because he did not play college ball, his job at UConn allowed him to witness what it takes to lead a successful team, helping him build a solid foundation for his career.
Career
After finishing his B.A. in Education from UConn in 2007, Daigneault was hired as an assistant coach at the College of the Holy Cross in Worcester, Massachusetts. Between 2007 and 2010, he assisted in recruiting student-athletes, created practice routines and oversaw daily operations. Because of his relationship with UConn, he was able to join the University of Florida from 2010 to 2014, working under Billy Donovan.
At Florida, Daigneault focused on developing his game planning, reviewing players and making important decisions, contributing to the Gators’ continued achievement. In 2014, Mark Daigneault became the head coach of the Oklahoma City Blue, the Thunder’s G-League affiliate which marked a major step in his career.
From 2014 to 2019, he brought the team to the playoffs several times and gained a reputation for helping young players progress. His focus on playing defense strongly, sharing the ball and improving abilities quickly fit well with the team’s NBA philosophy. With 143 wins and 107 losses over 250 games, he helped prepare valuable players for the Thunder and the team leadership recognized his work.
In 2016, Daigneault had a short stint as a dual-assigned assistant coach for the Thunder before returning to the Blue. After returning to the Thunder in 2019–20 as an assistant, he improved his strategies and started mentoring rising stars such as Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Josh Giddey, playing a bigger part in youth development.
In November 2020, Mark Daigneault was named head coach at age 35, making him the youngest in Thunder history. In a year where his team went 22–50, he was dedicated to developing the youth and building a strong team spirit. During the 2023–24 season, he guided OKC to its best record in the franchise’s history, 68–14 and was named NBA Coach of the Year. In 2025, he coached the All-Star Game. Many young stars, including Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Chet Holmgren and Josh Giddey, have excelled under his system of defense and teamwork.
Personal Life
Mark Daigneault wed Ashley Kerr, a former gymnast who also served as an assistant coach at the University of Oklahoma. The couple tied the knot in 2016 and has a son, Alex John, who was born in 2018. Even with his busy career, Daigneault always puts family first, crediting them for keeping him grounded in Oklahoma City.
Social Media
On Instagram @mark1da, Mark Daigneault posts about the team’s activities, celebrates community programs and helps out with charity efforts such as youth basketball clinics. His posts reflect his genuine and team-focused approach which is in line with his coaching philosophy.
Mark Daigneault Net Worth
In 2025, Mark Daigneault’s net worth is around $3 million, mainly earned from his salary as a coach with the Oklahoma City Thunder, reported to be between $1–4 million a year, and additional bonuses. He is famous for his simple living and supports youth basketball as well as community organizations from his Oklahoma City home.
