x
Breaking News
More () »

Could Tom Izzo be the Cleveland Cavaliers' next head coach? And other potential replacements for Larry Drew

After mutually parting ways with head coach Larry Drew on Thursday, the Cleveland Cavaliers are expected to conduct an extensive coaching search.

CLEVELAND -- On Thursday, the Cleveland Cavaliers and head coach Larry Drew have mutually parted ways.

With that, the Cavs find themselves in the market for a new head coach for the sixth time since owner Dan Gilbert purchased the team in 2005.

Who will it be that succeeds Drew as the Cavs' next head coach? Here are some names to know for the team's upcoming coaching search:

Tom Izzo

Having just wrapped up his 24th season at Michigan State, Tom Izzo is one of the most prominent coaches in college basketball. In his near-quarter century running the Spartans program, Izzo has amassed a 606-232 record (.723 record), 9 Big Ten regular-season championships, the 2000 NCAA national championship and eight Final Four appearances -- including one this past season.

But while the 64-year-old Izzo has spent the past 36 years of his life in East Lansing -- including 12 as an assistant -- he enjoyed a public flirtation with the Cavs during their head coaching search in 2010. Although he ultimately opted to remain at Michigan State back then, perhaps he'd be willing to reconsider nearly a decade later -- and at the very least, one would imagine he'd listen if Gilbert, a prominent Spartans booster, was the one making the call.

Jay Wright

Like Izzo, Jay Wright has spent the entirety of his coaching career in the college ranks -- and has done so with great success. In 19 seasons at Villanova, the Churchill, Pa., native has totaled a 570-260 record, three Final Fours and perhaps most impressively, two national championships (2016, 2018) in a three-year span.

While selling Wright on leaving a school where he's become a living legend would be tough, if the Cavs are going to look at the college ranks -- as ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski has suggested -- they might as well swing big. Last year, the 56-year-old Wright rebuffed inquiries from NBA teams with opening, but perhaps he'd be more willing to listen without an NCAA title to defend.

Credit: AP
Villanova head coach Jay Wright talks to his team during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game against Seton Hall in the championship of the Big East Conference tournament, Saturday, March 16, 2019, in New York. Villanova won 74-72. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez)

Jordi Fernández

Currently a top assistant with the Denver Nuggets, Jordi Fernández was a member of the Cleveland Cavaliers' organization from 2009-2016, coaching the G-League affiliate Canton Charge for the last of those two years. In three seasons with Denver, the 36-year-old has further established his reputation as a developer of young talent, which would seemingly be appealing to the Cavs, who in addition to Collin Sexton and Cedi Osman lay claim to the best odds possible of landing the No. 1 pick in the upcoming NBA Draft lottery.

Alex Jensen

Mentioned by Wojnarowski as a potential candidate, Alex Jensen is also no stranger to the Cavs organization. From 2011-13, he served as the head coach of the G-League affiliate Charge, before joining the Utah Jazz as an assistant coach.

The 2013 D-League Coach of the Year, Jensen also possesses a stellar reputation for player development, which will likely be a theme in the Cavs' coaching search. In Utah, the 42-year-old assistant has frequently been hands-on with the Jazz's Summer League team, helping aid the growth of young players such as Donovan Mitchell.

Darvin Ham

Another name linked to the Cavs by Wojnarowski, 45-year-old Darvin Ham has been an NBA assistant coach for the past eight seasons, including stints with the Los Angeles Lakers (2011-13), Atlanta Hawks (2013-18) and most recently the Milwaukee Bucks (2018-19). In that time, the former NBA small forward has predominantly learned under Mike Budenholzer, who could be in line to be named the league's Coach of the Year for the second time in his career.

While Budenholzer may not be available, hiring away one of his top assistants could prove wise. In addition to helping develop young talent, Ham also possesses no shortage of playoff experience between his stints with the Hawks and Bucks.

Credit: AP
Atlanta Hawks assistant coach Darvin Ham in the second half of an NBA basketball game Friday, Dec. 23, 2016, in Denver. The Hawks won 109-108. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)

Wes Unseld Jr.

The son of Hall of Famer Wes Unseld, Wes Unseld Jr. has built an impressive coaching resume that's included stints as an assistant with the Washington Wizards, Golden State Warriors, Orlando Magic and Denver Nuggets. For the past three seasons, he's served as the lead assistant of the Nuggets and even picked up some head coaching experience at times when Michael Malone wasn't available on the sideline.

In addition to his impressive resume, Unseld already possesses a personal connection to the Cavs. Kevin Love's father, Stan Love, played alongside the elder Unseld on the Washington Bullets, with the Cavs All-Star forward's middle name, Wes, paying homage to his father's former teammate.

Other names of note:

  • Former Alabama coach Avery Johnson
  • Portland Trail Blazers assistant David Vanterpool
  • Trail Blazers assistant Nate Tibbetts
  • Orlando Magic assistant Steve Hetzel
  • Toronto Raptors assistant Adrian Griffin
  • Atlanta Hawks assistant Chris Jent
  • Dallas Mavericks assistant Jamahl Mosley
  • Former Sacramento Kings coach David Joerger
  • Texas head coach Shaka Smart
  • Kansas head coach Bill Self
  • Virginia head coach Tony Bennett
  • Former Connecticut head coach Kevin Ollie

Before You Leave, Check This Out