Taylor Jenkins had a terrific run as head coach of the Austin Toros. But after spending time with the affiliated San Antonio Spurs during their run to the NBA Finals last season (specifically taking instruction from then Spurs' assistant Mike Budenholzer), it made sense that Jenkins snagged a spot as an assistant on the latter's new staff with the Atlanta Hawks.
In search of a new man to help lead the Toros in place of Jenkins, the organization didn't have to look very far, however. Promoting from within, Austin assistant Ken McDonald has been promoted to head coach.
Having served as head coach of Western Kentucky University from 2008-12, McDonald has experience and is very familiar with mentoring young talent and putting them in the best possible positions to succeed. Such a new opportunity is going to be one where he, too, undeniably, will have a chance to grow and learn new things as a key player in the way the Spurs' organization develops their own up and coming talent.
Among those who McDonald coached at Western Kentucky is Kahlil McDonald (no relation). The scrappy guard is quick, can run the floor, but also has the range necessary to knock it down from anywhere on the court. The young gun went through the motions last year, attending multiple NBA D-League tryouts last summer before spending time with the Maine Red Claws as a practice player during the season. It'll be interesting if any new opportunities open up for him in Austin with his old coach taking charge.