Brett Brown’s days as the Sixers’ Head Coach seem numbered. He may retain a front office role but a replacement will need to be found. What type of coach should the Sixers pursue? Someone with NBA Head Coaching experience? A fresh, hungry assistant? Or do the Sixers poach the college market? Whatever they do it will be intensely scrutinized. Let’s take a look at some of the candidates if Brett Brown is indeed let go.
The Polite But Firm “No Thank You”
The following candidates should not be considered for the potential vacancy:
Tom Thibodeau
Lionel Hollins
Jason Kidd
David Fizdale
Honorable Mentions
Wes Unseld Jr.
The son of former MVP Wes Unseld has made his own impression on the NBA and is currently an assistant for the Denver Nuggets. Like other coaches on this list, Unseld Jr. has a history of developing talent and could help guide Ben Simmons and Joel Embiid in their growth.
Working closely with Nikola Jokic, Unseld Jr. has experience with talented Centers and could help Embiid focus his talent. While not the most exciting name, Unseld Jr. could be a young up-and-comer with a bright future as a head coach.
Sam Cassell Sr.
Sam Cassell Sr. brings value to the table as a successful NBA player, what he accomplished should earn the respect of the players on the roster and he has been working with one of the best as well. Cassell has been under Doc Rivers with the LA Clippers since 2014, in that time he has experienced coaching on a playoff-caliber team almost every year. Since 2014 when Cassell joined, the Clippers have made the playoffs four out of five years and will soon turn that into five of six.
Stephen Silas
Silas has been mentioned for years among potential Head Coach candidates. Having worked closely with Hall of Fame Head Coach Don Nelson for years, Silas has also been credited for the further development of players such as LeBron James, Steph Curry, and Kemba Walker. He has 14 years of coaching experience in the NBA and 16 years of general NBA experience.
The only experience Silas boasts as an NBA Head Coach came when he led the 2017-2018 Charlotte Hornets while then Head Coach Steve Clifford was ill. Silas coached 21 games in Clifford’s absence and led a poor Hornets roster to a 9-12 record in that time.
Jerry Stackhouse
Since retiring from the NBA in 2013, Jerry “Stack” Stackhouse has focused on nothing but becoming an NBA Head Coach. He’s been an assistant coach for both the Toronto Raptors and the Memphis Grizzlies. Stack also coached the Raptors’ D-League affiliate 905 to a championship in 2017 winning “Coach of the year” in the process.
Inexperience is the primary detractor with Stackhouse, he’s a fast riser but only has five years of coaching experience. Currently, Stackhouse is the Head Coach of Vanderbilt’s men’s basketball team after signing a six-year deal last April. Between his inexperience, Vanderbilt’s current poor record, and the five remaining years on his contract, he is unlikely to leave this offseason. Jerry Stackhouse will one day be an NBA Head Coach and a very good one at that, just not yet.
Obligatory Jay Wright Post
Fans have clamored for Jay Wright for years, even before it was painfully obvious that Brett Brown isn’t the answer. Wright boasts a tremendous resume with the Villanova Wildcats including two National Championships. Wright has also molded young players into legitimate NBA contributors, players like Kyle Lowry, Jalen Brunson, Josh Hart, Eric Paschall. Jay Wright has had an incredible career and that’s exactly why he will not replace Brown as the Sixers Head Coach.
Jay Wright has no reason to leave, what’s in it for him? He’s nearly guaranteed success with NOVA year in and year out. The amount of unnecessary pressure he would put himself through especially in Philadelphia, it just doesn’t make sense. he may come to the NBA one day but it will not be as the Sixers Head Coach in 2021.
With all of that out of the way, you can see the Top Five on this next page.
