Both Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN and Shams Charania of The Athletic and Stadium are reporting that the Sixers are hiring longtime Spurs assistant coach Ime Udoka as head coach Brett Brown‘s lead assistant in Philadelphia, replacing new Suns’ head coach Monty Williams.
Udoka, 41, interviewed for the head-coaching job in Cleveland this spring before the position ultimately went to ex-Michigan head coach John Beilein. He reportedly came across as “very sharp” during his interview.
Udoka, who has been on the staff of Gregg Popovich for the past seven years, played seven seasons in the NBA for the Spurs, Trail Blazers, Kings, Knicks and Lakers. He last played in the NBA in 2011, and he’s coached in the NBA since 2012, after finishing his playing career with a brief stint in Spain playing for UCAM Murcia.
Avery Johnson was reportedly among the candidates to interview for the lead role on Brown’s staff. Meanwhile, in San Antonio, Will Hardy is expected to take a more prominent role on Popovich’s staff in the wake of Udoka’s departure, per Wojnarowski.
good move!
Pop is old. Why not stay and try to coach spurs?
I have a good feeling maybe he grooming Becky hammon to take over but that just my opinion
Right now it might be more exciting to think that if they fire Brown he might be the man to lead Philly, & they are serious contenders for the next few years… San Antonio no where near contention in the near future, right?
Because Pops just signed for another three years.