Inside The Nets

Potential head coach candidates to replace Jacque Vaughn in Brooklyn

The dust has settled from Vaughn’s dismissal, and the search for a permanent replacement is on.
Peter Sunjic|
© Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports

In this story:

Brooklyn Nets

The Nets dismissed Jacque Vaughn from his head coach position, which was a long time coming based on the players’ displeasure with his system. It was unfortunate for the Brooklyn organization because they loved JV as a figure within the locker room.

However, the Nets wanted to succeed, and Vaughn was unsuccessful in keeping them in the playoff race. This leads to a search for a head coach to replace the outgoing 49-year-old, who accumulated a 71-68 record during his time as Brooklyn’s top tactician.

Kevin Ollie

The Nets have appointed assistant coach Kevin Ollie into the interim head coach position. However, he can’t lock down the role yet because the front office would likely conduct a more comprehensive search for a head coach.

However, Ollie has an advantage over other candidates because he can immediately produce results with the team. Aside from that, Ollie already has a rock-solid resume, headlined by his 2014 National Championship with the UConn Huskies.

The 51-year-old is already a locker-room favorite, but the Nets might not want to promote from within again. The interim coach was part of the previous regime, which could play a factor in the team’s decision since that can go against Ollie. However, the results during his interim stint will play a role in deciding the position.

Jared Dudley

A name that fans have been floating around social media is Jared Dudley. The 38-year-old has been an assistant coach for the Dallas Mavericks since 2021 and has drawn plaudits for his impact on the players.

Additionally, Dudley played in Brooklyn during the 2018/19 season, making the 14-year veteran a fan favorite. That experience as a recently retired player can be pivotal in relating to the Nets’ players, but it can also be a weak point since Dudley is still inexperienced as a head coach.

Will Weaver

Another name that stood out from the Nets coaching staff is Will Weaver. The 39-year-old is a long-time assistant across different college programs and NBA teams. He was also tapped as a top candidate for the Oklahoma City Thunder job in 2020 that Mark Daigneault earned.

He was the G-League Coach of the Year in 2019 with the Long Island Nets, which could be a strong point for him since the Nets are a developing team filled with promising young players.

Nets promoting Kevin Ollie as interim head coach upon Jacque Vaughn's HC firing

Published
Peter Sunjic
PETER SUNJIC

Peter's journey with basketball commenced in the first grade, and it has since evolved into an integral part of his life. Standing on the brink of a potential professional playing career, Peter ultimately chose to pursue a degree in Political Science and Journalism in Zagreb, Croatia. Despite this academic pursuit, his deep-rooted love for the game of basketball endured, undiminished. Now, as a writer and editor, Peter finds an avenue to channel his unwavering passion for basketball-related news and analysis. Whether it's deciphering the latest happenings or delving into the lore of old-school basketball, he covers every corner of the NBA world.

Share on XFollow BN_Sunjic
Home/News