The Hawks interviewed Celtics assistant coach Jay Larranaga for their vacant head coach position, GM Travis Schlenk confirmed Thursday.

Larranaga has been a Celtics assistant for six seasons after he was head coach of the Erie franchise in the NBA Developmental League (now G League). Before coaching in the professional ranks Larranaga was an assistant at Cornell University. Larranaga played at Bowling Green State University for his father, Jim, who now is the head men’s basketball coach at the University of Miami.

ESPN first reported Larranaga’s meeting with the Hawks. The report said Larranaga also has interviewed with the Knicks and Hornets about their vacant head coach positions.

Larranaga is the sixth known candidate to interview with the Hawks after the team and coach Mike Budenholzer parted ways last week. The others: Hornets assistant Stephen Silas, Hawks assistant Darvin Ham, Warriors assistant Jarron Collins, Blazers assistant Nate Tibbetts and former Grizzlies head coach David Fizdale.

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Atlanta Hawks Head Coach Quin Snyder reacts to a call during the second half of an NBA basketball game against the Detroit Pistons, Tuesday, Nov. 18, 2025, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Erik Rank)

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