Kings Announce List of Head Coaching Candidates

The Sacramento Kings and general manager Monte McNair are on the search for their next head coach. A head coach who will be tasked with leading the Sacramento Kings to the NBA playoffs for the first time since 2005-06. That is an NBA record of 16 straight years missing the playoffs. The Kings have employed 11 head coaches since deciding to not renew the contract of Hall of Fame head coach Rick Adelman after the 2005-06 season.

In This Article

• List of Candidates
• Expert Opinions
• Tom’s Takes
• Fan Input/Poll Questions

List of Candidates

The Sacramento Kings announced a REAL list of coaches they are actually going to interview. EXCITING is a word that comes to mind, as a Kings fan.

Candidates that have been NBA head coaches previously: Mark Jackson, Mike D’Antoni, Steve Clifford, and Mike Brown. Candidates that have not been NBA head coaches, but assistant coaches: current Milwaukee Bucks assistant coaches Charles Lee and Darvin Ham, and current Boston Celtics assistant coach Will Hardy.

Kings will begin virtual interviews with coaching candidates next week. Confirmed that the initial list includes Mark Jackson, Steve Clifford, Mike D'Antoni, Mike Brown, Charles Lee, Darvin Ham and Will Hardy. In person meetings expected after first round of Zoom interviews.

— James Ham (@James_HamNBA) April 22, 2022

Expert Opinions

Mark Jackson coaching the Kings?

"You have to be out of your mind to look at this coaching search and go "you know what, I'll take that." @CarmichaelDave

"Just knowing too many people in the organization from the Warriors, I don't like what I've heard…" @JasonRoss1140 pic.twitter.com/WdtnISnz9I

— Sports 1140 KHTK (@Sports1140KHTK) April 25, 2022

Tom’s Takes

I think that the list of candidates is ENCOURAGING! The fact that there is going to be an EXTENSIVE head coaching search is critical to the success of the franchise and a very new process to most Kings fans. Most of the decisions made by Kings GM Monte McNair have improved the team – besides maybe trading Delon Wright for Tristan Thompson. To put it simply, I trust McNair and the front office.

What Do Kings Fans Think?

One question I had for Kings fans was, do they think the next head coach of the Kings needs to have NBA head coaching experience? I don’t necessarily think it’s a necessity but wouldn’t be a negative at all.

In terms of the next #SacramentoKings head coach …

would you rather see a coach with NO head coaching experience or some head coaching experience? #SacramentoProud

— Tom Witt – SacTown Crown (@sactowncrown) April 22, 2022

To add on top of that question, I asked Kings fans who they would want to be hired out of the 4 coaching candidates with previous NBA head coaching experience?

Out of the 4 previous NBA head coaches mentioned in the #SacramentoKings head coaching search … who would you want to be hired? #SacramentoProud

— Tom Witt – SacTown Crown (@sactowncrown) April 25, 2022

Looking Ahead

While I have not done much or any research on the list of potential Kings head coaching candidates, I will soon! Until then … a question I have for anyone who cares is: How many seasons will the next Sacramento Kings head coach last?

How many seasons will the next head coach of the #SacramentoKings be around for?

— Tom Witt – SacTown Crown (@sactowncrown) April 25, 2022

Exciting times ahead for the Sacramento Kings and their passionate fanbase!

As Always, Go Sacramento Kings!

-Tom Witt

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