NBA D-League Head Coaching Tracker for the 2015-16 Season

From one season to the next, plenty of D-Leaguers can be found ascending to the NBA, cashing in on more lucrative contracts overseas, etc. While some do return to the minor league, there's undoubtedly plenty of movement to keep track of.

But ironically enough, such movement and/or progression doesn't just end with the players. Plenty of coaches, front office staffers, referees, and more move on up from year to year. With that in mind, here's a look at each D-League team's head coaching position (who may be leaving, who is returning, and which new faces may be arriving) heading into the 2015-16 season.

***Updated August 16th***

Austin Spurs: Ken McDonald's contract has been extended through next season. He served as an assistant coach on Becky Hammon's championship winning NBA Summer League Spurs' team last month.

Delaware 87ers: Kevin Young is expected to return for his second year as 87ers' head coach after serving as associate head coach to (now 76ers' scout) Rod Baker in 2013-14. He was an assistant for the NBA affiliate in NBA Summer League.

Grand Rapids Drive: Former Orlando Magic General Manager Otis Smith is expected to return as head coach for his second season. He served as an assistant coach for the Pistons during Orlando Pro Summer League.

Los Angeles D-Fenders: After watching initial offseason hire Conner Henry sign on with the Orlando Magic as an assistant, the D-Fenders recently named Casey Owens as their new head coach. Owens is a long-time assistant of Bob MacKinnon's, including while in Los Angeles during the 2013-14 campaign.

Raptors 905: Jesse Mermuys, an assistant for Toronto over the last two seasons, will sit at the helm as head coach for the newly formed D-League affiliate.

Santa Cruz Warriors: As Yahoo! Sports reports, Casey Hill will return to Santa Cruz as head coach, fresh off winning his first D-League title.

Bakersfield Jam: Nate Bjorkgren has been promoted to a player development assistant position with the affiliated Suns, creating a vacancy. Former NBA player Jason Hart was reportedly offered the head coaching spot, but turned it down.

Yahoo! Sports is reporting that the team is finalizing an agreement with long-time NBA assistant Chris Jent (a la the Phil Weber method) to become its next head coach. Jent previously spent time with the 76ers, Magic, Cavaliers, and Kings as an assistant.

Erie BayHawks: Bill Peterson is expected to return for his second season. Perhaps his spot has even more padded security, as he previously served as an assistant for new Magic (affiliated) head coach Scott Skiles with the Milwaukee Bucks.

Idaho Stampede: Long-time NBA assistant Dean Cooper is also expected to return for a second season taking charge in Idaho. This offseason, he helped out at the D-League Elite Mini-Camp, among other things.

Maine Red Claws: Scott Morrison had a very successful first season as head coach of the Red Claws, winning the D-League's Coach of the Year award while leading Maine to a division title. He appears to be a lock to return after leading the NBADL Select Team in Las Vegas.

Reno Bighorns: The affiliated Sacramento Kings picked up their option to bring innovative head coach David Arseneault Jr. back earlier in the offseason.

Sioux Falls Skyforce: The Skyforce are looking for a new head coach after seeing Phil Weber catch on as an assistant on new Pelicans' head coach Alvin Gentry's staff and high octane offense.

Fort Wayne Mad Ants: According to D-League Digest, the Mad Ants are set to hire former Bakersfield Jam head coach Will Voigt to replace Conner Henry.

Iowa Energy: Bob Donewald Jr., who recently hired Nicki Gross as the D-League's lone female assistant, will return as head coach of the Energy. He spent time on the affiliated Grizzlies' NBA Summer League staff last month.

Oklahoma City Blue: Mark Daigneault will return for season two, perhaps with a much clearer path to the NBA paved than before. The affiliated Thunder have hired Billy Donovan, Daigneault's former boss at Florida, as their new head coach.

Rio Grande Valley Vipers: According to multiple reports, Matt Brase is expected to be named the team's next head coach after parting ways with Nevada Smith.

Texas Legends: The Legends introduced former Mavericks' guard and NBA assistant coach Nick Van Exel as the team's new head coach for the upcoming season earlier this summer.

Westchester Knicks: According to Adam Zagoria of SNY.tv, Mike Miller of the Austin Spurs will be named the team's next head coach. The highly-favored assistant ranked as one of the best amongst his peers in last fall's Ridiculous Upside Coach/GM survey. See more here.

Canton Charge: Jordi Fernandez is expected back for another season, after helping out the affiliated Cavaliers during NBA Summer League alongside Canton associate head coach Steve Gansey.