New NBA head coaches in the 2019-20 season

NBA.com Staff

New NBA head coaches in the 2019-20 season image

New head coaching hires can be influential in that they can completely alter the trajectory of a franchise or help usher in a new era of basketball.

Just last season, the Toronto Raptors won their first-ever NBA title under first-year head coach Nick Nurse, who became the third rookie head coach to win an NBA title in the past five years.

The 2019-20 season will see two first-year head coaches take the helm in Cleveland in Memphis, one head coach that's dropped the interim label and three experienced coaches that will embark upon new opportunities.

Here is more on each of these six coaches.

John Beilein, Cleveland Cavaliers

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Beilein was hired by the Cavs on May 13 after spending over 40 seasons coaching at the collegiate level.

From 2007-19, Beilein was the head coach of the Michigan Wolverines, winning the Big Ten Tournament championship in 2017 and 2018 and advancing to the Final Four in 2013 and 2018.

At 66-years-old, Beilein becomes the oldest first-time non-interim coach in NBA history.

Taylor Jenkins, Memphis Grizzlies

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The Grizzlies hired Jenkins on June 11, completing his quick ascension among the coaching ranks.

Jenkins, 35, saw his coaching career begin in 2008 as an assistant with the Austin Toros (now Spurs), the G League affiliate of the San Antonio Spurs. After five seasons with that organization, Jenkins moved on to Atlanta, where he would serve as an assistant under Mike Budenholzer.

Last season, Jenkins was again on Budenholzer's bench as he joined the Grizzlies after spending a season as a Milwaukee Bucks assistant.

In the summer of 2019, Jenkins led Memphis to the NBA Summer League Championship as head coach.

Ryan Saunders, Minnesota Timberwolves

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Saunders is one of two coaches to have the interim tag dropped from his title, as he took over coaching duties for the Wolves on Jan. 6, 2019.

The son of the late Flip Saunders, Ryan Saunders signed a multi-year deal to become Minnesota's permanent head coach on May 20. While his coaching career began in 2009, Saunders is the league's youngest head coach at 33-years-old.

In 42 games as the Timberwolves head coach in the 2018-19 season, Saunders led the team to a 17-25 record.

Luke Walton, Sacramento Kings

Luke Walton

Walton was hired to be the next head coach of the Kings just 48 hours after mutually parting ways with the Los Angeles Lakers.

In his three seasons as LA's head coach, Walton compiled a record of 98-148, with his win total increasing in each season. In the 2018-19 season, the Lakers got out to a 20-14 record before a myriad of injuries resulted in a 37-45 finish.

Monty Williams, Phoenix Suns

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The Suns named Williams their head coach on May 3 after he spent a year as Brett Brown's lead assistant in Philadelphia.

Williams returns to the head coaching ranks for the first time since 2015, where he wrapped up a five-year stint as the head coach in New Orleans.

In his five seasons leading the Hornets/Pelicans, Williams amassed a record of 173-221, making playoff appearances in 2011 and 2015.

Frank Vogel, Los Angeles Lakers

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Vogel was named the Lakers head coach on May 13 after he spent a year away from coaching.

Most recently, Vogel spent two seasons with the Orlando Magic, where he compiled a record of 54-110.

Vogel's most successful seasons came during his five and a half seasons in Indiana, where he led the Pacers to back-to-back Eastern Conference Finals appearances in 2013 and 2014.

NBA.com Staff

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