Budenholzer calls Hawks’ changes ‘necessary and positive’

Mike Budenholzer will remain Hawks coach but will give up his role as president of basketball operations. Curtis Compton / ccompton@ajc.com)

Mike Budenholzer will remain Hawks coach but will give up his role as president of basketball operations. Curtis Compton / ccompton@ajc.com)

The Hawks’ management shakeup is “a necessary and positive set of changes,” according to coach Mike Budenholzer.

Budenholzer will remain coach but will relinquish his role as president of basketball operations as a key part of the changes confirmed by Hawks principal owner Tony Ressler.

In addition, Wes Wilcox has resigned from his position as general manager and will become a special advisor to ownership. The team will use an executive search firm to assist in the hiring of a new general manager to run basketball operations.

“For our franchise, I believe that this was a necessary and positive set of changes,” Budenholzer said in a statement. “I am fully committed to the Hawks organization and look forward to helping with the search process and eventually working with the incoming GM.

“Together with ownership, the incoming GM and front office staff, and our coaching staff, we will continue to work toward building a team that can achieve a high level of sustainable success.”

Wilcox, who had been general manager since June 2015, said in a statement that he and Budenholzer recommended the new management structure.

“What makes our organization strong is that everyone is working together for the good of the Hawks,” Wilcox said. “That was my thinking when Bud and I met with ownership after the season and recommended this new structure.

“I’m grateful for my time as general manager and consider it a privilege to be asked by Tony to continue on as a special advisor. I look forward to working closely with ownership to bring a championship to Atlanta.”