The Hawks’ search for a head coach is underway as the team interviewed David Fizdale on Saturday, according to a person familiar with the situation. News of the interview was reported first by Marc Stein of the New York Times.
Hawks general manager Travis Schlenk promised a thorough search to replace Mike Budenholzer after the coach and team mutually agreed to part ways after five seasons earlier this week.
Fizdale most recently was head coach of the Grizzlies from 2016-17. He was fired Nov. 27, 19 games into this second season despite leading the Grizzlies to the playoffs the previous season.
Fizdale was a Hawks assistant coach under Mike Woodson from 2004-08. He also served as an assistant and associate head coach with the Heat from 2008-16, where he won two NBA championships.
Fizdale, 43, is from Los Angeles and attended the University of San Diego.
Fizdale is one of six possible candidates for the Hawks’ job, including Darvin Ham, Stephen Silas, Nate Tibbetts, James Borrego and Ime Udoka.
Schlenk did not give a timetable on when he would like to have a new coach in place. He expected it to be before the NBA Draft in June.
