John Beilein, who took over as head coach of the Cleveland Cavaliers nine months ago after a long career coaching in college, is expected to resign from that position this week before NBA games resume on Friday. Beilein is 14-40 with the Cavs, who are currently in last place in the East and have the second worst record in the NBA.
The Athletic broke the news Tuesday evening of Beilein’s imminent resignation, but news that this was a possibility began circulating this past weekend amidst NBA All-Star festivities. Beilein had never coached in the NBA and reportedly has never much support from the Cavs’ players.
This news could have a serious impact on the upcoming college coaching carousel, as Beilein would be an absolute home-run hire for any major program with an opening. Beilein went to nine NCAA Tournaments in twelve seasons at Michigan, finishing as NCAA Runner-up in both 2013 and 2018. He also had stints at West Virginia, Richmond, and Canisius, among others. Throughout his 45-year career, he’s been a head coach at the HS, JUCO, D-III, D-II, D-I and now NBA levels, but has never been an assistant.
The Athletic is reporting that Beilein is walking away from the rest of his five-year deal with the Cavs, so it does not appear that a large buyout check is coming his way. He turned 67 earlier this month so there’s definitely a chance he could just retire, but as a coach who signed a five-year deal for a completely new challenge just last year at age 66, there’s no reason to think he wouldn’t give the college game one more shot.
It would have to be the right opportunity, but major programs like Texas, Wake Forest, Georgia Tech, Boston College and DePaul could be in the market for a new head coach this time next month…
credit to Getty Images for the photo
