Report: UConn's Kevin Ollie candidate to replace Scott Brooks with Thunder
University of Connecticut head coach and former NBA player Kevin Ollie is being "seriously considered" to replace Scott Brooks as the head coach of the Oklahoma City Thunder, SNY's Adam Zagoria reports.
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Zagoria, citing a "source close to the situation," reports the Thunder believe hiring Ollie could help convince Kevin Durant to re-sign with the team when he becomes a free agent in 2016.
Ollie, 42, played his final NBA season with the Thunder in 2009–10. The Thunder went 50-32 in that season and made the playoffs for the first time since 2004–05.
"Kevin Ollie, he was a game-changer for us," Durant said in an interview with Grantland's Bill Simmons in 2014. "He changed the whole culture, I think. He might not say it, but I think he changed the whole culture in Oklahoma City."
Ollie's lone season with the Thunder was also Brooks's first full season as head coach.
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The Thunder finished 45-37 this season and missed the playoffs after five straight postseason appearances. Yahoo Sports' Adrian Wojnarowski reported last week that the Thunder are not certain Brooks will return as coach next season. Brooks' contract is guaranteed for next season, while Oklahoma City has a team option on his deal for the 2016-17 season.
After retiring as a player in 2010, Ollie joined Jim Calhoun's staff at UConn, his alma mater. He was an assistant on the Huskies' 2011 national championship team and was named head coach in 2012 after Calhoun retired. Ollie then led the Huskies to a national title in 2014.
Ollie has a 72-33 record in three seasons as UConn's head coach.
GALLERY: WHEN NBA COACHES WERE PLAYERS
When NBA Coaches Were Players
Jeff Hornacek
Rick Carlisle
Doc Rivers
Jason Kidd
Steve Kerr
Billy Donovan
Fred Hoiberg
Tyronn Lue
Earl Watson
Luke Walton
Scott Brooks
Nate McMillan
- Dan Gartland and Scooby Axson