From the NFL to the NBA: How did J.J. Outlaw Make the Switch?
Learn about how a former NFL player turned into a NBA player development coach.
J.J. Outlaw is currently an assistant coach for the Washington Wizards under Brian Keefe. Known for his player development experience, Outlaw has worked with many young prospects and veterans around the league.
Before we get started, we want to give a shout out to the “The Basketball Podcast” hosted by Chris Oliver for conducting an informative and professional interview with Coach Outlaw. Timestamps will be in parenthesis for important information.
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Before Coaching
Outlaw played varsity basketball at Mount St. Joseph High School in Maryland, however, basketball wouldn’t be the only sport he would participate in. Outlaw later became a professional football player who was drafted by the Philadelphia Eagles of the NFL, who he remained with for 2 seasons (2006-2007). He also played for the Rhein Fire of NFL Europa in the spring of 2007.
Similar to his father, John Outlaw who also played football and later became an assistant coach notably for the Denver Nuggets, Washington Wizards, and Charlotte Bobcats. Outlaw is also the godson of Bernie Bickerstaff, who was a longtime NBA assistant coach and head coach, and the father of current NBA coach J.B. Bickerstaff.
Marist Men's Basketball (2010-2011)
Outlaw started his basketball administrative career as the Director of Basketball Operations in 2010 for the Marist men's basketball program. He joined the Los Angeles Lakers video room in 2011.
Los Angeles Lakers (2011-2016)
Outlaw started his NBA coaching career under Mike Brown as a video coordinator with the Lakers. Outlaw later worked under head coaches Bernie Bickerstaff (Interim, 2012), Mike D’Antoni (2012-2013) and Byron Scott (2014-2016).
He worked with notable players such as Kobe Bryant, Derek Fisher, Matt Barnes, Pau Gasol, Ed Davis and learned from coaches Mike Brown, Mike D’Antoni, Bernie Bickerstaff, and Steve Clifford.
Memphis Grizzlies (2016-2018)
Outlaw became an assistant coach along with J.B. Bickerstaff under David Fizdale in Memphis. When Fizdale was fired during the next season, Bickerstaff was named the interim and later named the full-time head coach for the 2018-2019 season.
Outlaw notably coached Marc Gasol, Tony Allen, Vince Carter, Zach Randolph, Mike Conley, James Ennis, Dillion Brooks, Tyreke Evans, Joakim Noah, Jonas Valančiūnas, and Avery Bradley. Outlaw also worked with veteran coaches David Fizdale, Keith Smart, Bob Bender, and Chad Forcier.
Cleveland Cavaliers (2019-2024)
Outlaw was hired as an assistant coach under J.B. Bickerstaff. The Cavaliers made 2 playoff appearances in 2022 and 2023, coming up short against the Knicks and Celtics respectively.
He notably coached Kevin Love, Collin Sexton, Darius Garland, Isaac Okoro, Caris LeVert, Donovan Mitchell, Ricky Rubio, Max Strus, Evan Mobley, Jarrett Allen, and Brandon Knight, who Outlaw mentioned was one of his favorite players to coach (7:42).
Washington Wizards (2024-)
Outlaw was hired as an assistant coach under Brian Keefe in the Summer of 2024. He’s currently working with Jordan Poole, Kyle Kuzma, Malcom Brogdon, and Bilal Coulibaly amongst others on the roster.
Coaching Philosophy
Outlaw has empathized mentorship, specifically with veteran players guiding the younger players. Mentioning that some things sound better from an older player than a coach.
His defensive coaching is considered similar to the Triangle and Princeton, specifically with hard rules and read and react. During the segment, Outlaw has made these points about his defensive philosophy. (Starting at 19:00)
He encourages a “No Middle” strategy, of which positions 1-5 play a role in preventing a score in the paint by keeping the ball out of the middle (21:46).
Protecting the Paint - Involves utilizing the Big Men and Wings to protect the basket. (21:57)
Empathizes that the team is defending on a “string”, everyone has a role and a responsibility to defend. (20:52)
Considers one of the hardest actions to defend is the “stack action”. (31:11)
He learned from Steve Clifford from their time with the Lakers, that the more games you watch of an opposing team, the better you’ll understand them and how to defend the correct way, this also teaches the coaches to better prepare the players (35:43).
No player should feel like they’re on a “island” (37:48). Also notes that there are always times where heavy isolation will occur against the ball handler.
Outlaw enjoyed learning the offensive stage during his early coaching years, he learned under Lakers head coach Mike Brown about the defensive end and attention to detail on the court which has helped Outlaw grow as a coach.
Under Mike D’Antoni, the Lakers played at a fast pace under his offensive system, which gave Outlaw another opportunity and another coach to learn from, who he mentioned will always cherish (20:09). How Outlaw coaches his offense is aligned to what Coach D’Antoni influenced from their Lakers tenure (20:20).
It’s a rare story to hear a person switch professional sports, especially a coach. J.J. Outlaw has come a long way in the NBA, learning from some of the greatest players and coaches to passing down that information to the new and younger generation.
Again, big shoutout to “The Basketball Podcast” by Chris Oliver for being an influence on this article and conducting an informative interview that’s resulted in impactful information. You can watch the interview with Coach Outlaw on their YouTube channel.