Billy Donovan has already made the big jump and Kevin Ollie has been courted as well. Could a third college coach get the call soon?
The third coach in mention is Tom Izzo of Michigan State who is rumoured to be on the New Orleans Pelicans list of candidates to replace former coach Monty Williams.
It will be recalled that Williams was fired just recently despite making it the NBA playoffs this season. In general however, Williams' performance apparently failed to please Pelicans management, leading to his dismissal. Williams is 2-8 in the playoffs in his five years of holding the head coaching position.
The Pelicans were swept by the Golden State Warriors in the first round.
So could Izzo do any better? From the looks of it the Pelicans think so.
Leading the list of advisors is said to be former Detroit Pistons executive Joe Dumars and he is apparently the one pushing for Izzo. If Dumars does play a vital role in the hiring of a new coach, there is a chance (slim as it may) for Izzo to take on the head coaching reigns of the Pelicans.
Izzo, like Donovan and Ollie, is no stranger to coaching bump rumors. He has likewise denied talks about it and stresses that he would remain with Michigan.
But wouldn't the chance to coach Anthony Davis and the Pelicans be of interest? Well maybe not now.
Izzo has just wrapped up a successful final four stint and such is seen as the reason as to why his name has suddenly been inserted into the fray of possible new head coaches for the next NBA season.
The NBA has yet to wrap up the current season and there are a number of teams still without a head coach. Aside from the Pelicans, the Orlando Magic and the Denver Nuggets have yet to announce new head coaches.
Then there is of course the status of Tom Thibodeau who will reportedly be fired by the Bulls despite a credible performance this season.
