Detroit Pistons: 5 candidates to replace Stan Van Gundy as head coach
2. Mike Budenholzer
Another frontrunner for the Detroit Pistons head coaching job is Mike Budenholzer, a former head coach who shouldn’t be without a job for too much longer. Budenholzer coached the Atlanta Hawks to a record of 213-197 in five seasons, including a Coach of the Year Award in 2014-15.
He’s a hot commodity by both the Milwaukee Bucks and Toronto Raptors, and for good reason. Budenholzer led the Hawks to four postseason appearances in five seasons with his only blemish being his final year. After interviewing for both the Phoenix Suns and New York Knicks head coaching positions, the writing was on the wall.
Mike Budenholzer has emerged as the focus of the Milwaukee and Toronto coaching searches, league sources tell ESPN. Raptors are opening conversations with Budenholzer and Bucks will re-engage with him early this week, sources said.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) May 14, 2018
Things fell apart on both sides after a 24-58 performance in 2017-18. They agreed to part ways as the Hawks’ front office looks for a young and up-and-coming coach to mesh with their young roster.
Budenholzer acquired a solid Atlanta Hawks roster and excelled right away when he was hired back in May 2013. A similar situation approaches with the Detroit Pistons, a team a few wins away from postseason play in 2017-18. He brings discipline and has experience from the San Antonio Spurs’ coaching tree, an intriguing skill-set to have as a head coach in the league.