After missing the play-in tournament with a 31-41 record, Stan Van Gundy won’t continue as the New Orleans Pelicans head coach, according to Andrew Lopez and Adrian Wojnarowski from ESPN.
ESPN story with @wojespn:
Sources: Stan Van Gundy out after one season with Pelicans. https://t.co/jEdbrVXxkH
— Andrew Lopez (@_Andrew_Lopez) June 16, 2021
Van Gundy was hired just before the season started to replace former head coach Alvin Gentry. Now a new search has started and some old faces are being thrown into consideration.
According to Wojnarowski, Jacque Vaughn, Ime Udoka, Charles Lee and Jason Kidd are past candidates that are again in the race. In addition, Kevin O’Connor from The Ringer reported that team’s assistants Teresa Witherspoon and Fred Vinson are also strong candidates for the position.
In search for a replacement, Pelicans are expected to circle back among some candidates from a year ago, including assistants Jacque Vaughn and Ime Udoka (Brooklyn), Charles Lee (Milwaukee) and Jason Kidd (Lakers), sources tell ESPN. https://t.co/sAduFLcEiG
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) June 16, 2021
Sources: Pelicans assistant coaches Teresa Weatherspoon and Fred Vinson are considered serious candidates to replace Stan Van Gundy.
— Kevin O'Connor (@KevinOConnorNBA) June 16, 2021
Including the recent news about Scott Brooks in Washington, there are now six head coaching openings in the league with the Boston Celtics, Indiana Pacers, Pelicans, Orlando Magic, Portland Trail Blazers, and Washington Wizards.
