Update: Hawks are given permission to interview Casey
The Atlanta Hawks have sought and received permission from the Dallas Mavericks to speak with Mavs assistant Dwane Casey regarding the Hawks’ coaching job, according to a person familiar with the situation.
Through team spokesperson Arthur Triche, Hawks general manager Rick Sund declined to comment.
The Hawks made their request Saturday, one day after announcing they would not offer Mike Woodson a contract extension. The request was granted by Dallas GM Donnie Nelson.
In Sunday’s edition of the New York Daily News, Mitch Lawrence identified Casey as the favorite to succeed Woodson. (Lawrence also reported that the Hawks are up for sale, which would be major news.)
Casey worked under Rick Sund as an assistant to Nate McMillan for five seasons when the Hawks’ general manager was GM of the Seattle SuperSonics. Casey interviewed for the Hawks’ coaching job in 2004, when then-GM Billy Knight chose Woodson instead.
Casey was the head coach of the Minnesota Timberwolves for a season and a half but was fired by then-GM Kevin McHale in January 2007 when the T-Wolves were 20-20. (The team would finish 32-50.) Casey’s record as an NBA head coach is 53-69.
The reasons for Casey’s firing in Minnesota have never been delineated. But ESPN.com Insider John Hollinger called the move “McHale’s Folly” and wrote: “Somebody, anybody, tell me what [Casey] did wrong.”
Casey has already been interviewed by the New Orleans Hornets for their coaching vacancy and is believed to be in the mix for the Chicago Bulls’ job.
(Oh, and if you’re wondering what I think of Dwane Casey: As noted earlier, he’d be my first choice.)
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279 comments Add your comment
Borat
May 16th, 2010
2:57 pm
Nice work of the “not” joke, UGA111111.
AVERY JOHNSON
May 16th, 2010
2:58 pm
Thanks Dookie, I agree with every word.
show me state
May 16th, 2010
2:58 pm
I stand corrected by my first statement…..
HAWKSFAN
May 16th, 2010
2:58 pm
Is it possible to get a coach who is a proven offensive & defensive strategist? Honestly, I’ve never heard anything great about Casey. It’s good that he has coaching experience, but we really need an experienced strategist; mentor; “true” coach who can help develop young, immature players; and analyst who can assess what’s not working during and after a game with the thought of implementing the necessary changes as needed, possibly on the spot. A real leader is needed. Is that Casey? If so, great. If not, continue looking and stray away from hasty decisions.
Keith Hernandez
May 16th, 2010
2:59 pm
He is a sharp dresser, his beard is not weird, and he can always get some play from Miss Hotty.
zzzzzzzzzzzz
Laimbeer for Coach
May 16th, 2010
3:00 pm
Laimbeer
Laimbeer
Laimbeer
Coach K's the way...
May 16th, 2010
3:02 pm
There’s likely not a chance in the world he’d jump for this ludicrous Hawk’s ownership and imbecile run city government of Atlanta but I throw the best possible offer to the best college coach since John Wooten and a man who just coming off his latest NCAA title would clearly command the player’s respect and attention…Mike Krzyzewski.
Maybe we could get lucky and he wants a new challenge before he walks away from it all?
tony
May 16th, 2010
3:02 pm
This is absolutely atrocious!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! The owners of this team should be banned from owning a nba team. This hire would be a complete insult to the City of Atlanta. This could be the last yr I will ever what another hawks game if they hire this guy.
Scott Anderson
May 16th, 2010
3:03 pm
this guy ?
why dont we just bring in Dominique Wilkins to coach.
We would get about the same results.
thats pathetic
Mark Bradley
May 16th, 2010
3:03 pm
Casey runs the Four Corners, LOL!
Nah. I imagine he’d run the standard NBA offense — heavy on pick-and-rolls, less heavy (at least less heavy than Woodson) on isolations.
MrHughes
May 16th, 2010
3:03 pm
I agree with some of the things Dookie said. We can never pull any names here that are known and proven like Avery, It’s frustrating.Someone please find an owner for us who will spend the money necessary for us to be a contender! Especially how are team is made up now, we can probably get any coach we want because we’re a playoff team already, yet we go for sub 500 coaches….
HAWKSFAN
May 16th, 2010
3:05 pm
MB, what are you saying? Do you believe that Casey can truly get the job done?
Mark Bradley
May 16th, 2010
3:05 pm
Yes. I wrote last week than Casey would be my pick.
A.T.
May 16th, 2010
3:06 pm
@Reverse Discrimination: Nice try on the race baiting but the only racism here is coming from you. The best candidates available right now (that also fit our style and more importantly, budget) happen to be black. Guys like Doug Collins, Fratello, etc are not what we need at this stage. Been there, done that. And of course you failed to mention the most obvious reason for Casey being in the lead; He has worked with our white GM before. But don’t let that get in the way of your hatred for the “black city”.
Mark Bradley
May 16th, 2010
3:06 pm
Hinske with an opposite-field home run. It’s 6-1.
greg
May 16th, 2010
3:06 pm
I think Avery Johnson is the perfect fit. without a legitimate center , pand playing in the east, it may not even matter who’s the coach.
LOL!
May 16th, 2010
3:07 pm
Pick and rolls sounds good to me i forgot how that look being ran in a hawks uniform. Thanks Mark
BravesAreDone
May 16th, 2010
3:07 pm
good let’s hire someone with a losing record.
Bigstack O' Pancakes. It's an Irish name!
May 16th, 2010
3:09 pm
Hopefully he will crack the whip and focus Josh Smith so he can be a force like a Garnett. Hopefully he will make Marvin into a solid offensive option. Team won’t get past Orlando without a big man or someone who can take over a game in crunch time and will this team to victory.
JMar
May 16th, 2010
3:10 pm
Anyone with eyebrows will be a better coach than his predecessor.
HAWKSFAN
May 16th, 2010
3:10 pm
Okay, Mark. I believe in giving people a chance, because I’m truly impressed with Doc Rivers’ performance. I didn’t see the level of success that he’s achieved coming so soon. So, Casey deserves further thought. Thanks!
Mark Bradley
May 16th, 2010
3:10 pm
Handling Josh Smith will be one of the biggest tasks facing the new coach. No doubt, Bigstack.
Steve
May 16th, 2010
3:11 pm
I think Mike Brown is about to be canned as Cavs coach – how about him? Could do the ol’ Houston Nutt thing – I don’t think he is a bad coach.
By the way, ESPN thinks a lot of Woody – one of the best play drawers during a timeout according to league consensus the say – wow!
Mark Bradley
May 16th, 2010
3:13 pm
Let’s think about that, Steve: He just lost in the same round as the Hawks with the best player in the world. Not sure Mike Brown’s resume is really strong at present.
A.T.
May 16th, 2010
3:13 pm
@Steve: I read that ESPN article as well and nearly choked on my muffin. What drunken scouts did they talk to?
Hire Back Woody!!
May 16th, 2010
3:19 pm
Casey? Are you serious???? He was a total bust in minnesota! The hawks need to hire Woodson back—he got them to the playoffs. Casey—mediocrity and no playoffs—mark it down!
Mark Bradley
May 16th, 2010
3:20 pm
You know, Woodson actually WAS pretty good out of timeouts. It was when he didn’t call timeout that the offense went pear-shaped.
MAP
May 16th, 2010
3:22 pm
The Hawks need a proven WINNER as the new head coach that brings a respect factor and credibility….Avery Johnson, Byron Scott, or Sam Mitchell. As a season ticket holder and long time fan, this is what I would like to see. This would also help in bringing notable free agents this summer. Not a current asst coach…..Dwane Casey??? Come on!!!!!!
MrHughes
May 16th, 2010
3:23 pm
Also, if woody beat him out of the job.. what does that say about Casey?
HAWKSFAN
May 16th, 2010
3:25 pm
No, MB. Woodson WAS NOT pretty good out of timeouts. I never thought Woodson had a plan or clue on what to do next.
Mark Bradley
May 16th, 2010
3:25 pm
Remember, Woodson was a hot guy in 2004. Coming off the Detroit NBA title.
Mark Bradley
May 16th, 2010
3:26 pm
Sam Mitchell a proven winner? He had one winning season.
Joey
May 16th, 2010
3:29 pm
Mark, does this mean the players will now be paid in cash, mailed to them in envelopes?
Reid Adair
May 16th, 2010
3:30 pm
Mark, you called this early on. I truly hope Dwane Casey is the choice. Surely he will get serious consideration from Rick Sund.
Mark Bradley
May 16th, 2010
3:33 pm
Now, Joey. Let’s be nice.
Mark Bradley
May 16th, 2010
3:34 pm
I can’t imagine Sund wouldn’t have some interest, Reid. But that’s me guessing. Sund is pretty good at saying nothing.
Dr. Warren
May 16th, 2010
3:34 pm
Same DAILY NEWS article MB provided also says the Hawks are up for sale. Maybe there is hope for some deeper pockets after all….(and let’s hope we can keep them here rather than Vegas or Seattle).
Joey
May 16th, 2010
3:37 pm
You’re right, I take it back. What can you do when you boss gives you a job to do . . .
Steve
May 16th, 2010
3:41 pm
Mark, I think your probably right – if you can’t win with LeBron, Shaq, Antwan Jameson etc., probably not going to win with the Hawks – just tossing names out – hope Casey does great if he gets it, but looking for more of a proven guy (not Kevin Loughery or Mike Fratello) – not sure the right guys out there…..How about Scott Skiles since he outcoached Woody in that 1st round?
Mark Bradley
May 16th, 2010
3:42 pm
Scott Skiles is under contract, Steve. This isn’t like college basketball where you can poach at will. (But I agree that Skiles is a fine coach.)
Long Term Memory
May 16th, 2010
3:42 pm
Hmmm, hiring a coach that has never gotten a team to the playoffs after not re-resigning a coach whose teams at least got into the playoffs. Gonna be a long couple of winless years.
Stuck In Kentucky
May 16th, 2010
3:43 pm
Mark, remind me of Casey’s role in the UK/Sutton stuff and why isn’t Laimbeer getting some attention. He has paid his dues, will get respect from the players with his rep as a player on a multi title team. In my opinion this is the guy for this team and if Mahorn and Salley can come that would be even better. They could probably still come off the bench if need be.
Marcus (aka decatur g)
May 16th, 2010
3:46 pm
Seems like, from a familiarity standpoint, that Casey’s candidacy has a leg up on everyone else.
Sund knows him from SEA, management knows him from being a previous candidate in ‘04. Only folks that don’t know him are the players on the current roster.
Also, seems like his salary demands would be more in-line with ASGs slot for the job vs. a candidate w/previous HC experience.
we shall see.
Mark Bradley
May 16th, 2010
4:00 pm
Casey’s name was on the airbill of an Emery envelope that popped open in transit and contained money. The addressee was Claud Mills, father of UK recruit Chris Mills.
Hawks73
May 16th, 2010
4:00 pm
I am not quite sure that anyone would call this a “Championship hire” or that Casey would be confused with Phil Jackson. I thought the whole point of firing Woody was to instill an attitude that a second round sweep was not enough. Does hiring a guy who is “familiar” with Sund sound like going through a process of interviewing the best, or just taking the cheap way out?
I couldn’t tell you the first thing about Casey, it just seems that this organization is not willing to fully commit to taking the Hawks to the next level. If this is a sign of things to come, Joe Johnson is probably gone and the Spirit will go on the cheap to find his replacement.
Gravy Train
May 16th, 2010
4:06 pm
MB, rumors have Coach Cal joining Lebron in Cleveland…at least he can’t get the Cavs on probation, but what about UK? Would the hammer come down in Lexington?
I say the Hawks should move “Smoove,” Joe and No-D Bibby for some lottery picks and get a coach who understands team defense and offense.
The Donald Sterling Dirty Secret
May 16th, 2010
4:09 pm
You don’t have to win games to make money in this league.
Blow it up and start from scratch.
Again.
Atlanta Hawks let go of Mike Woodson
May 16th, 2010
4:09 pm
[...] Folly” and wrote: “Somebody, anybody, tell me what [Casey] did wrong.” Report: Dwane Casey is the 'favorite' for Hawks' job | Mark Bradley 5Dimes and Reduced Juice on Baseball… Deposit and enter our Baseball Contest [...]
Najeh Davenpoop
May 16th, 2010
4:11 pm
Casey doesn’t strike me as being any real improvement over Woodson. Woodson is a “good basketball man who’s good with players” too. The whole point of this coaching change is to get someone who will take the Hawks farther than their current level, and Casey doesn’t strike me as being that guy.
Obama
May 16th, 2010
4:16 pm
hawks still suC