Developing Coaches

by Ian Levy on Apr 8, 2025 2:34 PM EDT

I am looking for some help from people who follow the D-League a lot closer than I do!

I don't follow the D-League as much as I should (especially since I live in Boise, home of the Idaho Stampede.) I am a passionate Indiana Pacers fan, and hopefully we will be looking for a new coach next season. I can't imagine the Pacers will represent an attractive situation for incoming coaches. Chances are, we will have a difficult time attracting a top flight replacement for Jim O'Brien. I am wondering if anyone considers any of the D-League coaches to be up and coming coaching prospects.

I am intrigued by Quin Snyder. I thought he did a better job at Missouri than he got credit for, (besides the NCAA violations) and it seems like he has done a good job developing young talent for the Spurs down in Austin. Is he worth a look? Does anyone else merit a serious look? I would love to hear anyone's thoughts on the topic. Thanks!

Hickory High

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Based on the way Snyder has been developing talent and winning games despite having the fastest revolving door in the d-league, I think he’s the best new coaching prospect in the NBA. Impressive and consistent track record across the board for the last three years. The question becomes,who is better prepared to be a head coach in the NBA - an assistant coach from a winning team in the NBA or a head-coach from a winning team in the d-league? You could argue it either way.

by Fizzr on Apr 9, 2025 12:04 AM EDT reply actions

Quin Snyder's next step should be receiving an assitant coaching gig in the NBA, which could come ...

about if Gregg Popovich’s right-hand man, Mike Budenholzer, finally gets a long-awaited head coaching job.

That way, Popovich would have room on his staff to promote Synder. Then again, though, perhaps Synder is sitting in wait until he’s offered another shot in the NCAA. Of course, Snyder didn’t exactly go out on the best of terms — which is putting it rather mildly — when he resigned from the Missouri post back in 2006.

by AK1984 on Apr 20, 2025 6:03 AM EDT up reply actions

Quin is obviously tops

Though Iowa’s Nick Nurse and (my dark horse) Utah’s Brad Jones could also receive some interest.
As Fizzr pointed out:

The question becomes,who is better prepared to be a head coach in the NBA – an assistant coach from a winning team in the NBA or a head-coach from a winning team in the d-league? You could argue it either way.

I know there are a few coaches - Rory White in Dakota, for example - that came to the D-League this season to get some head coaching experience after being on the bench in LA for the past six seasons.
I think it probably takes a bit of both, though - experience in the NBA as well as head coaching experience - to make it work.
My favorite up-and-coming coaching candidate is Memphis’ assistant Dave Joerger. He was great in the minors, has done well in the NBA from all accounts, and is still under 40. He’s also getting some buzz from ESPN.
More than likely I’ll get into this once the offseason rolls around - good question.

I blog at Ridiculous Upside. I know you'll love it.

by Scott Schroeder on Apr 9, 2025 5:22 PM EDT reply actions