There soon may be some clarity for the Hawks assistants that currently remain with the team following the departure of coach Mike Budenholzer last month.
The Hawks and Budenholzer mutually agreed to part ways in April, ending their five-year tenure. Budenholzer agreed to terms to become the head coach of the Bucks on Wednesday, ending just a 20-day stretch without a job.
Since Budenholzer left, his assistants have remained in Atlanta. Several have helped with pre-draft workouts and several attended the introductory news conference of new head coach Lloyd Pierce on Monday.
Budenholzer has had discussions about bringing at least some of his assistant coaches to the Bucks, according to a person familiar with the situation. Assembling his staff with familiarity was called a “top priority” but currently there is nothing official. The Bucks have yet to announce the hiring of Budenholzer. Lead assistant Darvin Ham, who was a candidate for the Hawks’ head job, is one coach likely to join Budenholzer.
Pierce, most recently an assistant with the 76ers, likely will want to assemble his own coaching staff. Although general manager Travis Schlenk and Pierce left open the possibility that there could be some holdovers.
“We’ve been candid and forthright with the staff from Day One,” Schlenk said when asked Monday about the coaching staff. “I would start by saying we have a very good staff in place here, but it’s important that Lloyd is comfortable with this staff. Over the next few days, he’ll take time, sit down and get to know these guys as best he can. Again, we need him to be comfortable, and we need people he’s comfortable with as we move this forward.”
Much of the Hawks’ front office and Pierce are in Chicago for the NBA scouting combine following the draft lottery Tuesday.
In addition to Ham, the Hawks’ assistant coaching staff is made up of Taylor Jenkins, Charles Lee, Ben Sullivan, Chris Jent and Patrick St. Andrews.
“This being my fifth team in the NBA in 11 years, I’ve been on both sides of it,” Pierce said Monday. “As Travis just mentioned, it’s important to really follow through on what you’re talking about and building an organization and having the right people in the organization to address the players, address (principal owner Tony Ressler) and Travis’ vision for the organization. It’s important, and it’s not just about friendships or relationships that you’ve had before. It’s about finding the right people, the right character and the right match.”
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