The search continues — and widens — to find the next head coach of the Hawks.
General manager Danny Ferry is keeping the process of determining who will lead the franchise in the next phase of its rebuilding process close to the vest. He has repeatedly declined to speak specifically about the yet-to-be vacant position. He did acknowledge to The Atlanta Journal-Constitution last week that he has begun to speak to potential candidates despite the fact that Larry Drew is still under contract until June 30.
According to a person familiar with the team’s search, three candidates have officially interviewed for the position — former NBA coaches Stan Van Gundy and Nate McMillan and Spurs assistant Mike Budenholzer. Current CSKA Moscow coach Ettore Messina also is under consideration. Drew remains a candidate and has been on a year-long interview. However the coach has begun to interview for other vacancies.
There are more.
Ferry has spoken to other undisclosed candidates according to the person familiar with the situation. How many and who they are remain secret. Ferry is determined not to conduct his search in a public forum, and several of the candidates do not want their name mentioned. Ferry has given no timetable for the length of his search. He spent much of the past week in Chicago attending the NBA’s Scouting Combine with members of his front office. At least one member of his current coaching staff, assistant and player-development coach Kenny Atkinson, was at the combine conducting player workouts.
Drew will interview with the Bucks on Monday. The Hawks likely would make a decision before the NBA draft, which will be held June 27.
Here is a look at the five known candidates for the Hawks’ head coach position.
Stan Van Gundy
Currently: Since being fired by the Magic in 2012, Van Gundy continues to live in central Florida and has spent time working as a broadcast analyst.
NBA head coaching experience: Spent eight seasons as coach of the Heat and Magic. He left the Heat 21 games into his third season for Pat Riley, who led the team to the NBA title. He spent the next five seasons with the Magic, getting as far as the Eastern Conference finals in 2009.
Career record: 371-208 (.641)
The case for: There is no question that Van Gundy can coach. Ferry sought Van Gundy to speak in general terms about the direction of the organization before an official interview. Van Gundy would help excite an Atlanta fan base. He also would be a proven leader to work with the mix of young players the Hawks have on the roster and will obtain in the draft and a number of veterans who will join the team in free agency.
The case against: Van Gundy may not want to return to coaching. He recently said that while he misses the profession he enjoys life at home with his family. He serves on boards for several charitable organizations. He also may be looking for the right opportunity. There also is the issue of Dwight Howard. The two had a stormy relationship in Orlando, and the free-agent center will be a player the Hawks target this summer with plenty of salary-cap space.
Nate McMillan
Currently: Since being fired by the Trail Blazers in 2012, McMillan most recently served as an assistant coach under Mike Krzyzewski for the U.S. National team that won the gold medal at the 2012 London Olympics.
NBA head coaching experience: Spent 12 seasons with the SuperSonics and Trail Blazers. McMillan led the Super Sonics to the playoffs twice, once reaching the second round. He also led the Trail Blazers to three consecutive postseason appearances from 2009-11, all first-round exits.
Career record: 478-452 (.514)
The case for: McMillan is known as a defensive-minded coach. Ferry might want someone to continue that emphasis as he rebuilds a roster that struggled in that area last season.
The case against: McMillan has a career record that sits just above .500. He has made it out of the first round of the playoffs once in five tries. His disciplinarian approach may not work with a roster that will be filled with veterans, perhaps several big-name players.
Mike Budenholzer
Currently: Budenholzer is an assistant coach with the Spurs, who have advanced to the Western Conference finals.
NBA head coaching experience: None. Budenholzer has spent 18 seasons with the Spurs, two as the video coordinator, 16 as an assistant coach with the past five as the top assistant to Gregg Popovich.
Career record: None
The case for: Budenholzer is considered one of the top assistant coaches in the NBA and has worked under Popovich since 1994. Ferry is well-acquainted with Budenholzer after his two stints in the San Antonio front office.
The case against: He has no NBA head coaching experience. That would be a big leap of faith for Ferry to entrust a rebuilding franchise to a first-timer. Budenholzer also is the heir apparent in San Antonio and may want to wait for that job to open, even knowing that at some point the Spurs will have to rebuild with a core of aging players.
Ettore Messina
Currently: The Italian-born Messina is the head coach of CSKA Moscow.
NBA head coaching experience: None. Messina served as a consultant for the Lakers when Mike Brown was head coach during the 2011-12 season. He has coached teams in Italy, Spain and Russia and won four Euroleague titles.
Career record: None
The case for: Messina is widely considered to be a top basketball mind and capable of translating to the NBA game. While with the Cavaliers, Ferry sent Brown to Europe to observe Messina's offense. Ferry could have spoken to Messina while on a scouting trip to Europe before the playoffs.
The case against: It would be somewhat of a risk to turn an franchise over to someone with no head coaching experience in the NBA. Messina would have to sell his system to players here, and it's a gamble whether the European game will translate.
Larry Drew
Currently: Drew remains head coach of the Hawks until his contract expires June 30.
NBA head coaching experience: Drew has spent the past three seasons as head coach after serving as an assistant with the Hawks. He led the team to the playoffs in each of his three seasons, advancing to the second round in 2011.
Career record: 128-102 (.557)
The case for: There is something to be said for the job Drew did in leading the Hawks to the playoffs three consecutive seasons with three vastly different rosters. Few people gave the Hawks a chance to reach the postseason this season, but they pushed the Pacers in the first round before falling in six games.
The case against: Drew is interviewing for other positions. Ferry may want his own man for the job. Drew and Ferry did not know each other before Ferry was named GM. It would be a reason the GM is interviewing potential candidates despite spending a season with Drew. Bringing Drew back could be a hard sell to the fan base eager for the franchise to make improvements and become a championship contender.
Others to watch: Brian Shaw (Pacers assistant), Maurice Cheeks (Thunder assistant), Mike Malone (Warriors assistant)
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