AP Photo/Steven Senne
The Atlanta Hawks are seeking a new head coach after firing Nate McMillan on Tuesday, and another name has reportedly been added to the team’s list of candidates.
According to NBA insider Marc Stein, former Boston Celtics head coach Ime Udoka is among those being considered for the position.
The Hawks parted ways with McMillan on Tuesday, ending his three-year tenure with the team. Atlanta general manager Landry Fields said Wednesday that former Utah Jazz head coach Quin Snyder was a candidate for the job, but he wouldn’t reveal the others under consideration because of their current affiliations with other teams.
Udoka was suspended for one year by the Celtics for violating team policies by engaging in an inappropriate relationship with a female staff member. An investigation found that Udoka used “crude language” with the staffer before starting a relationship with her, per ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski.
Last week, Boston promoted interim head coach Joe Mazzulla to the permanent position, ending Udoka’s time with the organization.
Earlier this season, Udoka was rumored to be a candidate for the Brooklyn Nets’ head coaching position after Steve Nash stepped down. The team went with assistant Jacque Vaughn instead, and he was signed to a contract extension last week.
Prior to his suspension, Udoka was viewed as a rising coach in the NBA. He led Boston to a 51-31 record and a trip to the 2022 NBA Finals in his first year at the helm, but the team fell to the Golden State Warriors in six games. The Celtics have not lost a step in his absence, ranking first in the league this year with a 42-17 record.
Other candidates for the Hawks opening reportedly include Warriors assistant Kenny Atkinson and Milwaukee Bucks assistant Charles Lee. Joe Prunty is currently acting as interim head coach while the team’s search continues.
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Doric Sam