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This undoubtedly has been an incredibly busy offseason with plenty of movement for NBA D-League coaches. The likes of Taylor Jenkins (from the Austin Toros to Atlanta Hawks), Nick Nurse (from the Rio Grande Valley Vipers to Toronto Raptors), Alex Jensen (from the Canton Charge to Utah Jazz), and Duane Ticknor (from the Fort Wayne Mad Ants to the Memphis Grizzles) have all received call-ups of their own in the form of NBA assistant coaching gigs. What's more, Bob McKinnon made the move from head coach of the Springfield Armor to now head coach of the Los Angeles D-Fenders. Former advanced scout for the Heat, Pat Delany, is now the head coach of the newly affiliated Sioux Falls Skyforce.
And this week, there happens to be even more movement as coaches continue playing musical chairs. Here's a look at some of the more notable D-League coaching headlines from this week.
Doug Overton Joins Springfield Armor As Head Coach
Though Overton was expected to be a Nets' assistant coaching holdover on former teammate Jason Kidd's new staff, he's instead taken on an interesting new role. Staying in the Nets' organization, Overton is now the new man with a plan in Springfield, replacing McKinnon.
It's not everyday we see NBA alumni step up as head coaches in the D-League, especially following an assistant coaching gig in The Association. Some may call it a lateral move. Others (most notably Patrick Ewing) may even call it insulting.
Still, in theory, assuming head coaching duties for any team is a chance to grow. It's a new opportunity with different responsibilities. By staying abroad the Nets' organization, it's clear the franchise has interest in seeing Overton hone and further develop his own respective coaching skills. Staying with the team in such a capacity proves Brooklyn trusts him to continue working with younger players who may in fact ultimately become vital to the team's future plan for success.
Nate Bjorkgren Returns to the Iowa Energy
Just a season after failing to capture anything more than the league's worst record, the Iowa Energy still managed to reel in a coach who led his team to the NBADL Finals this year.
One of three multi-team affiliate franchises remaining in the D-League, the Energy announced that (now) former Santa Cruz Warriors' coach Bjorkgren will now man the ship in Iowa.
Previously, Bjorkgren served as an assistant coach for the Energy under Nick Nurse. Together, the pair led the squad to an NBA D-League championship title in 2011. The former obviously hopes to duplicate such success, especially after coming so close with the Warriors this past year.
Highly regarded as a brilliant defensive mind, one has to wonder what went into Bjorkgren making such a decision. That said, his family still resides in familiar surroundings in Iowa.
Santa Cruz Warriors Begin Search For a New Head Coach
With Bjorkgren out, that means a new head coach will need to be ushered in to Santa Cruz.
It'll be interesting to see whether the Warriors' organization will covet a more notable name from the outside, or promote from within. Having said that, despite clawing Bjorkgren away from the Energy in the first place, the Warriors seriously consider Santa Cruz a place for tremendous potential growth, both for its players, as well as other team personnel.
It wouldn't be surprising at all to see Golden State do something similar to what the Heat did re: Delany and the Skyforce, simply because they truly believe in using such an avenue to develop its employees in Santa Cruz, in hopes of potentially helping them move on to greener pastures and bigger and better things.