George Karl
He has compiled more than 1,000 victories, made 21 playoff appearances and put together 20 winning seasons. Among coaches in any professional sport, few are more accomplished than Denver Nuggets coach George Karl.

Entering his 25th NBA season and ninth with the Nuggets, Karl ranks seventh in NBA history with 1,076 career victories. Of the six men who have won more games, only three (Phil Jackson, Pat Riley and Jerry Sloan) have a better winning percentage than Karl (.595). Karl has also notched 78 career playoff victories, good for 10th all-time, and earned 10 Coach of the Month honors, which is tied for the fourth-most in NBA history.

Since joining the Nuggets on Jan. 27, 2005, Karl has overseen one of the most successful eras in franchise history.

In seven-plus seasons, his 366 wins are second-most to Doug Moe in the team's NBA history, while his .612 winning percentage is unmatched. His streak of eight straight postseason appearances is the second only to Moe's nine consecutive (1982-90), and Denver's run of four straight 50-win seasons from 2007-2011 is the longest such streak in team history. The Nuggets are one of just three NBA teams (Dallas and San Antonio) to reach the postseason in each of the past nine seasons.

As a player, Karl averaged 6.5 ppg and 3.0 apg over 264 games and five seasons between the ABA and NBA. He attended the University of North Carolina, where as a junior, he helped lead the Tar Heels to the 1972 NCAA Final Four, and during his sophomore season (1970-71), helped UNC to an NIT title. Although drafted by the New York Knicks in the fourth round of the 1973 NBA Draft, he signed with the San Antonio Spurs of the ABA.

As a two-time cancer survivor (Karl overcame prostate cancer in 2005), Karl is actively involved with several cancer-related organizations. He and his life partner Kim Van Deraa launched the George Karl Foundation in March 2012. The foundation's mission is to support causes and organizations important to their family, including cancer care programs, education, animal rights and environmental initiatives. More information can be found at http://www.georgekarlfoundation.org/.

Karl works closely with the Cancer Care Initiative at Swedish Medical Center to help provide information and assistance for cancer patients and their families. He is also involved with the American Cancer Society, the Cancer League of Colorado and St. Jude's Children's Research Hospital in Memphis, Tenn.

Karl also supports Friends of Hoop, which annually hosts King Holiday Hoop Festivals high school basketball tournaments held in honor of Dr. Martin Luther King in Seattle and Milwaukee.

Karl, 61, has three children - daughters Kelci and Kaci and son Coby, who was on Denver's roster at the end of the 2009-10 season. In 2007-08, Coby and George became just the third father/son duo to face each other in an NBA game and the first to do so in a postseason game as Denver took on Coby's Los Angeles Lakers in the first round of the 2008 NBA Playoffs. According to Elias Sports Bureau, there are no known instances of a player appearing in an NBA game with his father as his head coach in NBA history.

Melvin Hunt
Melvin Hunt is entering his third season on the Nuggets coaching staff, after spending the previous five years as an assistant coach with the Cleveland Cavaliers.

Hunt is responsible for developing game plans along with Head Coach George Karl as well as developing the Nuggets players throughout the season and offseason. The past two summers Hunt has spent time in Italy working with Danilo Gallinari and he participated alongside Nuggets C Timofey Mozgov in Basketball Without Borders in Russia in 2012.

While in Cleveland, Hunt helped lead the Cavaliers to one of the most successful stretches in franchise history. In 2008-09, the Cavs won a franchise and NBA-best 66 games, while Hunt and the coaching staff earned the honor of coaching the Eastern Conference in the 2009 NBA All-Star Game in Phoenix. Cleveland also enjoyed great postseason success during Hunt's tenure with the team, reaching the 2007 NBA Finals, the 2009 Eastern Conference Finals and four consecutive appearances in the Eastern Conference Semifinals from 2007-10.

Before joining the Cavaliers staff, Hunt spent one season (2004-05) as an assistant coach with the Los Angeles Lakers and five seasons with the Houston Rockets (1999-2004). While with the Rockets, he served two years as a video coordinator/scout and two years as an assistant coach before spending his final year as the team's college and international scout.

Prior to working in the NBA, Hunt coached on both the collegiate and high school levels. He began his coaching career as an assistant coach at Temple High School (TX) before moving to the college ranks where he was the lead assistant coach at Incarnate Word University in San Antonio.

Hunt earned his Bachelor's degree in business administration and a Master's degree in education from Baylor University where he spent four years on the basketball team. He was a four-year letterman and a three-year starter for the Bears from 1987-91 and helped lead his team to both the NCAA and NIT tournaments. Following his graduation, Hunt played professional basketball in the Caribbean and Mexico.

A native of Tallulah, Louisiana, Hunt has spent time in Asia, Russia, Lithuania and South Africa during recent offseasons as a part of the NBA's Basketball Without Borders – the global basketball development and community outreach program that uses the sport of basketball to influence positive social change.

Hunt (born Dec. 15, 1969) and his wife, Carmen, have a daughter, Braya, and a son, Miles.

John Welch
John Welch begins his eighth season with the Nuggets as an assistant coach. He assists Nuggets coach George Karl with game plans, opponent scouting and player development.

Welch joined the Nuggets after two seasons as an assistant coach/workout coach for the Memphis Grizzlies. Prior to his arrival in Memphis, he spent seven seasons as an assistant coach at Fresno State, serving under head coach Jerry Tarkanian, one of the winningest coaches in NCAA history.

Welch joined Fresno State in 1995 and helped the Bulldogs to two consecutive NCAA tournament appearances, six consecutive 20-win seasons and seven straight postseason appearances. In 2000-01, he helped the Bulldogs to a 26-7 record, the second-most wins in school history; a school-record tying 13-game winning streak; and a Top 25 ranking during the second half of the season.

Welch, began his coaching career as a graduate assistant at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas for three years including the 1987 season when the UNLV Rebels advanced to the NCAA Final Four. When the Rebels' season ended, Welch also served as a player and coach in the New Zealand Professional Basketball League from 1986-89. Welch returned to the collegiate ranks as an assistant coach at Long Beach State where he helped Head Coach Seth Greenburg guide the 49ers to a two-year record of 37-20 and a berth in the 1995 NCAA Tournament.

As a player, Welch spent three seasons at the University of Nevada, Reno and transferred to UNLV for his senior year. Welch played under Tarkanian for one year when the Rebels compiled a 33-5 record and advanced to the third round of the NCAA Tournament.

Welch was born on Feb. 17, 1963 in Portland, Maine. He attended Ranch High School in Las Vegas where he was an All-State selection. He and his wife, Jean, have a daughter, Haley, and a son, Riley.

Chad Iske
Chad Iske enters his 14th season with the Denver Nuggets and his sixth as an assistant coach. Iske oversees the scouting of upcoming opponents and assists Coach Karl with game plan preparation.

Iske began working with the Nuggets on the ground level, serving as an intern in the scouting department for the 1999-00 season. From there he worked as the team's video coordinator and scouting coordinator, began advanced scouting in 2004, and was promoted to assistant coach in 2008. He also scouted the CBA and D-League during the 2005-06 and 2006-07 seasons.

A graduate of Regis Jesuit High School in Aurora (CO), Iske has volunteered as a coach in the school's high school and junior high basketball programs. He also served as an assistant coach for basketball and baseball at Bishop Seabury Academy in Lawrence, Kan. and helped start the Kansas Angels summer high school basketball program in 1997 - where he was the primary fund raiser and assistant coach in '97-98.

Iske, 36, graduated from the University of Kansas in 1999 with a degree in sports management. He and his wife Lauren currently reside in Denver.

Ryan Bowen
Ryan Bowen enters his second season on the Denver Nuggets coaching staff after spending two years as the video coordinator for the University of Iowa men’s basketball team.

Bowen returned to Denver following an 10-year NBA career that included five seasons with the Nuggets from 1999-2004. Drafted by Denver in the second round (55th overall) of the 1998 NBA Draft, Bowen spent one season playing in Turkey before joining the Nuggets.

Known for his hustle and work ethic, Bowen was a fan favorite at Pepsi Center and averaged 3.2 points and 2.6 rebounds in 298 games with the Nuggets. His best season in Denver was 2001-02 when he started 21 games and averaged a career-high 4.9 points and 2.2 rebounds. Bowen also was an active member of the community and received the Chopper Travaglini Award given for outstanding community service in 2002.

Bowen, 36, also played for the Houston Rockets (2004-06), New Orleans Hornets (2007-09) and Oklahoma City Thunder (2010-11), finishing his NBA career with averages of 2.6 points and 2.1 rebounds in 507 games.

Before playing professionally, Bowen enjoyed a distinguished career at the University of Iowa. In 120 games with the Hawkeyes (1994-98), he scored 1,090 points (9.1 avg.), grabbed 804 rebounds (6.7 avg.), recorded 208 steals and blocked 124 shots. He remains the school’s career field goal percentage leader (.575) and ranks first in career steals, fourth in blocks and eighth in rebounds. A two-time All-Big Ten selection, Bowen was inducted to the Iowa Boys Basketball Hall of Fame in 2012.

Bowen and his wife, Wendy, reside in Highlands Ranch with their three children, daughter Isabel (11) and sons Benjamin (9) and Zachary (7).

Patrick Mutombo
Patrick Mutombo enters his second season with the Nuggets and his first as an assistant coach. He joined the team as a player development coordinator in 2011-12 after being a member of the Metro State University coaching staff.

In his role with the Nuggets, Mutombo works closely with the players to improve their individual skills before, during and after practices and team shootarounds. He also assists with advanced scouting of upcoming opponents. Mutombo served as an instructor at the NBA’s 2012 Basketball Without Borders Africa camp and Masai Ujiri’s Top 50 camp in Nigeria.

A native of the Democratic Republic of Congo, Mutombo developed his basketball skills while growing up in Belgium, and he later played under coach Mike Dunlap at Metro State in Denver. Mutombo spent six years playing professionally in Italy, Greece and the NBA Development League. He played four seasons on four different teams in the top league in Italy, one season for Trikala 2000 in Greece's top league, and the 2009-10 season with Bakersfield in the NBDL.

Mutombo, 32, turned pro after a distinguished career Metro State (1999-2003). He helped the Roadrunners win two NCAA Division II national championships (2000 and 2002) and was named second-team All-America in 2001 and first-team All-America in 2002. Mutombo ranks second in school history in career free throw percentage (.853), fifth in field goals made (571) and ninth in points (1,360). He was inducted into the Metro State Athletics Hall of Fame in February 2011.

Mutombo, who graduated from Metro State in 2003 with a degree in Political Science, resides in Denver with his wife Magali. In his spare time, he enjoys painting, sculpting and building wood furniture.

Steve Hess
Keeping the Nuggets in top physical shape is the job of Steve Hess, the team’s assistant coach/strength and conditioning. Hess oversees the team’s weight training, conditioning, stretching and nutritional programs. He designed and arranged the Nuggets’ weight room in the Pepsi Center and also designed functional pieces unique to the Denver Nuggets.

In his 15th season with the Nuggets, Hess creates and administers individual workout programs for each player throughout the entire year. He spends the majority of the off-season working with Nuggets players and other professional athletes, overseeing every aspect of their workout programs. He pushes them to reach their peak physical condition.

Hess is a co-owner of FORZA fitness and performance center and is one of 12 trainers worldwide who sits on the Under Armour training council. He is also the official spokesperson for the National Sports Center for the Disabled and is also a member of NBA Team Fit.

In addition, Hess has been featured on NBA Inside Stuff, All-Access with Ahmad Rashad, NBATV and The Eating Network. He also has his own workout segment on the Altitude Sports & Entertainment network.

A graduate of Ithaca College (N.Y.), Hess received a master’s degree in physical education with an emphasis on sports medicine and a bachelor’s degree in exercise science fitness and cardiac rehabilitation in ‘91.

Hess lives to obtain peak performance in his own life. His wife, Alicia, is also a conditioning expert and the couple spends their time chasing their two sons, Jordan and Korey, around their home.

Jim Gillen
One of the most respected trainers in the NBA, Jim Gillen is in his 22nd season with the Nuggets. He is responsible for the treatment and rehabilitation of all injuries, in conjunction with the team's medical staff.

In addition, he serves as the team's travel coordinator and works closely with Strength and Conditioning Coach Steve Hess to monitor the Nuggets' workout regimen and diet.

Gillen traveled across town in 1991 to join the Nuggets after serving as the assistant athletic trainer for the Denver Broncos from '87-90. During his tenure with the Broncos, Gillen accompanied the team to three Super Bowls. He and Broncos Head Athletic Trainer Steve Antonopulos were named the NFL's Athletic Training Staff of the Year in '87.

Prior to joining the Broncos, Gillen was an athletic trainer for the AMI/Denver Broncos Sports Medicine Clinic in 1987 and served as the head athletic trainer at Overland High School from '82-86 and Aurora Central High School from '80-82.

After receiving his bachelor's and master's degrees from Fort Hays State (Kan.), Gillen was the head athletic trainer at Roosevelt High School in San Antonio before moving to Denver.

A member of the National Athletic Trainers Association and the American College of Sports Medicine, Gillen is a past president of the Colorado Athletic Trainers Association. He is also past Chairman of the NBA Athletic Trainers Association and is a recipient of the National Athletic Trainers Association 25 Year Award.

Gillen has served as an athletic trainer at three NBA All-Star Games, working the 2005 (Denver) and 2003 (Atlanta) contests as the head trainer for the Western Conference and the 1995 game in Phoenix as an assistant.

He was honored with the Joe O'Toole NBA Athletic Trainer of the Year Award in 2002 and 2008 and was an athletic trainer for USA Basketball at the 2002 World Championships in Indianapolis. In 2010 Gillen was inducted into the Rocky Mountain Athletic Trainers Association Hall of Fame, which represents the states of Colorado, Wyoming, Utah, New Mexico and Arizona.

Gillen established the Excellence in High School Athletic Training Award in 2003 given annually to the top high school athletic training program in Colorado and Wyoming. The recipient receives a monetary donation for supplies and equipment and is recognized at a Nuggets home game. In addition, each year a "Comeback Athlete of the Year" and the school that the athlete attends are rewarded for outstanding rehab.

A native of Meade, Kan., his family includes wife Terri, daughter Rachel; daughter Jamee Ulitzky, her husband Josh and their children Joey, Jordan and Julia; son J.D., his wife Emily and their daughters Alexsis and Aspen; and daughter Amanda Lloyd and her husband J and their daughter Karaline.