Casey, Thibodeau next for Stefanski
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Casey, Thibodeau next for Stefanski
The 76ers have confirmed they will interview both Boston Celtics assistant coach Tom Thibodeau and Dallas Mavericks assistant coach Dwane Casey.
It is unclear, as of yet, when the interviews will take place.
Casey spent 11 seasons as an assistant with the Seattle Supersonics. He was a head coach for 1 1/2 seasons, coaching the Minnesota Timberwolves for the 2005-06 season and part of the 2006-07 season. His overall record in Minnesota was 53-69.
Boston General Manager Danny Ainge confirmed that Sixers General Manager Ed Stefanski called last week asking permission to speak with Thibodeau. The Celtics granted permission and now that Boston has been eliminated from the playoffs, the Sixers will be able to move forward with the interview process.
Celtics head coach Doc Rivers said he put a call into Stefanski to see where he could help. The sentiment from Ainge and Rivers is that Thibodeau is "an excellent coach who just needs an opportunity." Thibodeau has worked both seasons in Boston under 1-year contracts.
Calls to Thibodeau were not immediately returned. The Sixers declined comment
Thibodeau just completed his second season as an assistant with the Boston Celtics and has spent 19 seasons in the NBA, but none as a head coach. Thibodeau spent the 1993-94 season with the Sixers, working with then head coach John Lucas. He went on to work with Jeff Van Gundy in New York and Houston.
Thibodeau is considered one of the best defensive coaches in the league. In his 19 seasons, his teams have finished in the Top 10 defensively 15 times.
--Kate
keeping my fingers crossed. this is the guy we need to fix our defense, not a retread.- I predict he's the one...— jimmy76er
- Zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz— FlyerFan21
- Hell yeah. Since the Knicks were stupid enough to hire D'Antoni over this guy, I'd be ecstatic to take him. He can make this team into an elite defense, which is how we're going to have to win games anyway because we still have so many marginal offensive players tied up for years to come.— dww2001
- 12&70, 12&70, 12&70, 12&70, 12&70, 12&70. We need to lose lose lose to win win win.— phillyking22
Comment removed.- Avery Johnson can development a guard— rgoldberg
- Avery Johnson Please..— asv
- Even though he's an Celtic, right guy for the job.— ttmanage
- Comment removed.
- what is the emfatuation over avery johnson? i just don't get it. thibodeau might not have the name recognition, but he'd be 10 times the coach johnson was on his best day.— jazztafari
- Comment removed.
- How about Kelvin Sampson? Good track record as coach and the NBA has unlimited text messaging.— GA in Blue Bell
- Comment removed.
- 1. He has never been a #1 guy. How much of the defense was from the head coach's system? 2. The NBA is a player's league. You need great players to win. The head coach of a mediocre team is irrelevant. Lets say this guy IS a defensive guru and they win 5 more games a year. What does that do but get them even worse draft picks?— JonKap
John Mitchell is in his second year covering the 76ers for the Inquirer after joining the paper in November 2011. He covered the Washington Wizards for the Washington Times from 1998 to 2008. He's also worked at the Philadelphia Tribune, the Wilmington News Journal, Courier-Post, Trenton Times and Elmira Star-Gazette.Born and raised in West Philadelphia - not too far from Will Smith - he graduated from Overbrook High School the same year the 76ers won their last championship. He's a proud graduate of Howard University and the proud father of two sons, Jared and Jordan.
ABOUT MARC NARDUCCI
Marc Narducci has served in a variety of roles with the Inquirer since beginning in 1983. He has covered the 76ers as a backup and a beat writer. In addition, Narducci has covered everything from the Super Bowl to the World Series and a lot in between. Narducci also has a true passion for South Jersey scholastic sports, which he has covered for many years.
