The Atlanta Hawks have fired Head Coach Nate McMillan and will begin the search for a new Head Coach immediately. Several names are already being linked to the franchise, but a decision likely will not be reached until the conclusion of the 2022-23 NBA season. With McMillan fired, assistant coach Joe Prunty has been named as the interim Head Coach for the rest of the NBA season. Tensions between McMillan, players, and the front office had been mounting for some time, but came to a head this year and ended with Tuesday’s notice.
The Atlanta Hawks dismissed coach Nate McMillan, sources tell ESPN. pic.twitter.com/Jjh3qlCnCX
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) February 21, 2023
Since taking over as the Head Coach of the Atlanta Hawks in 2021, Nate McMillan led the team to an overall record of 99-80. In the NBA Playoffs, he holds a record of 11-12 with the Hawks. While the team did have some success under the Head Coach, this season and the year before it did feel like a trend in the wrong direction. McMillan also clashed with players on the roster including star point guard Trae Young on different occasions.
ESPN Sources: The Hawks are planning a wide-ranging search, but one candidate expected to be at the top of the list: Former Utah Jazz coach Quin Snyder. Others expected to be considered include Bucks assistant Charles Lee, Golden State assistant Kenny Atkinson.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) February 21, 2023
This season the Atlanta Hawks are currently the eighth seed with an overall record of 29-30. They still have a good shot at making the 2022-23 NBA Playoffs, but will have to do with Joe Prunty as the interim Head Coach. The search for the next Head Coach after Nate McMillan begins while the team continues to fight for a postseason berth.
