Which college coaches are getting linked to NBA head coaching jobs?Rob Dauster
The NBA season ended on Wednesday, which means that the coaching carousel in the professional ranks is getting ready to kick into full swing.
And, as you might expect, the names of some of college basketball's best coaches are being thrown around.
Let's start with Scott Brooks, who, according to Yahoo's Adrian Wojnarowski, could be on the outs with Oklahoma City. One of the names that pops up in connection with the job, per Woj, is UConn head coach Kevin Ollie. This is not a surprise. Ollie played with Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook in Oklahoma City, and his relationship with them and Thunder GM Sam Presti is well-documented.
The other name that Woj lists may be a bit surprising to those that haven't been paying attention: Florida head coach Billy Donovan. The rumor mill regarding Donovan's future has been in overdrive this spring, as many believe that Donovan has his eye on making the jump to the NBA. He already did this once, signing with the Orlando Magic before almost immediately returning to the college ranks back in 2007, and there are still people that believe the Magic still have their eye on the two-time national champion.
There's a third team that seems to have Donovan on their wish lists. According to Woj, he's also a candidate to take over the Denver Nuggets next season. Also on that list? Iowa State head coach Fred Hoiberg, another guy that's been all over the NBA's radar. He's been linked to a potential opening in Chicago as well, should Tom Thibodeau's tenure with the Bulls come to an end.
Just wait until the John Calipari wheels start spinning.
The NBA season ended on Wednesday, which means that the coaching carousel in the professional ranks is getting ready to kick into full swing.
And, as you might expect, the names of some of college basketball's best coaches are being thrown around.
Let's start with Scott Brooks, who, according to Yahoo's Adrian Wojnarowski, could be on the outs with Oklahoma City. One of the names that pops up in connection with the job, per Woj, is UConn head coach Kevin Ollie. This is not a surprise. Ollie played with Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook in Oklahoma City, and his relationship with them and Thunder GM Sam Presti is well-documented.
The other name that Woj lists may be a bit surprising to those that haven't been paying attention: Florida head coach Billy Donovan. The rumor mill regarding Donovan's future has been in overdrive this spring, as many believe that Donovan has his eye on making the jump to the NBA. He already did this once, signing with the Orlando Magic before almost immediately returning to the college ranks back in 2007, and there are still people that believe the Magic still have their eye on the two-time national champion.
There's a third team that seems to have Donovan on their wish lists. According to Woj, he's also a candidate to take over the Denver Nuggets next season. Also on that list? Iowa State head coach Fred Hoiberg, another guy that's been all over the NBA's radar. He's been linked to a potential opening in Chicago as well, should Tom Thibodeau's tenure with the Bulls come to an end.
Just wait until the John Calipari wheels start spinning.
