Milwaukee Bucks nearing second stage of head coaching interviews
By Adam McGee
According to various reports, the Milwaukee Bucks’ search for a new head coach is close to entering the next stage of the interview process.
As the Milwaukee Bucks’ search for a head coach continues, various reports suggest the process is now nearing the next stage of the interview process.
Ettore Messina, Steve Clifford, Mike Budenholzer and Monty Williams have all interviewed for the job over the past week, with Becky Hammon and David Blatt interviews still to come.
After Monty Williams interviewed for the Bucks coaching job on Thursday, two more candidates on deck this week, league sources tell ESPN: David Blatt and Becky Hammon. There will be a smaller group of finalists advancing to meet ownership.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) May 11, 2018
According to Matt Velazquez of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, there is still a possibility of an interview being scheduled with another assistant coach.
Per league source, Bucks have interviews with Becky Hammon & David Blatt lined up. Could be another interview upcoming with another assistant. When 1st round of interviews is done, GM Jon Horst will narrow it down to 3-4 finalists & ownership will join the interview process.
— Matt Velazquez (@Matt_Velazquez) May 11, 2018
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With reports from both Velazquez and ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski early on Friday morning, it’s interesting to note that the first round of interviews appears to have been conducted by Jon Horst and his front office team, rather than being led by ownership from the opening stages.
Reports suggest that ownership will take part in the second round of interviews once Horst has narrowed the initial candidates down to a more concise shortlist.
Much has been talked about the potential influence of ownership in the search process for a new head coach, thanks in large part to the series of events that led to Horst’s appointment as general manager last summer.
ESPN’s Brian Windhorst even went so far as to suggest there was a possibility of candidates being reluctant to take on the job due to the Bucks’ unique ownership arrangement.
While debate will likely continue as to what will happen when more voices enter the process for the final stage of interviews, the perception of Horst being given autonomy in the early stage of identifying candidates will be reassuring to many Bucks fans.
It’s worth mentioning that it also lines up with how Horst has previously described his working relationship with the owners too. Following the dismissal of Jason Kidd as head coach, Horst described how that process unfolded.
"“I evaluated [the coaching situation], made a recommendation, ultimately made a decision and had unanimous support from ownership on this. That’s the way we come to all of our decisions and conclusions.”"
Meanwhile, with Becky Hammon’s first round interview still on the horizon for the Bucks, San Antonio Spurs big man and NBA legend, Pau Gasol, shared some thoughts on Hammon’s coaching ability and consideration for head coaching jobs in a post on The Players’ Tribune.
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The next big step for the Bucks will be deciding who out of Hammon, Budenholzer and the rest of the candidates makes the final cut for further interviews with key decision-makers.