College try: Cavs lure Beilein from Michigan
CLEVELAND — John Beilein has spent a coaching lifetime taking ordinary programs and turning them into consistent winning ones. All in college. He’s getting shot.
The Cavaliers ended a monthlong search Monday by hiring Beilein, a 66-year-old offensive mastermind who made Michigan a perennial powerhouse and now takes over a rebuilding project in Cleveland. Beilein got a five-year deal with the Cavs, who believe he can make the successful leap from campus.
Beilein’s signing is somewhat surprising given his age, lack of pro experience and because the Cavs, who have had six previous coaches since 2009, had been speaking almost exclusively with younger NBA assistants during their search.
Beilein isn’t the safest pick or the sexiest, but Cavs general manager Koby Altman said he precisely fits the coaching profile he wanted.
“We interviewed several strong and talented candidates who, no doubt, will get an opportunity to become an NBA head coach somewhere down the line,” Altman said. “Following the end of those interviews, it became clear to us that Coach Beilein was the right choice and best fit for our franchise.
“John is one of the most accomplished and innovative basketball minds and leaders in the entire game. his NBA He has a unique ability to create an outstanding culture that will promote the development of young players and provide a solid structure to the entire program; not to mention the fact that John Beilein wins everywhere he goes.”
From Nazareth College to LeMoyne to Canisius, Richmond, West Virginia and finally to Michigan, Beilein built a strong reputation for developing young players and teams. He’s one of only four coaches to take four schools to the NCAA Tournament, and he leaves Michigan with the most wins in school history.
The Cavs are expected to surround Beilein with an experienced staff, and it’s possible the team will hire one of the other candidates as an associate head coach.
Beilein knows he has to work to do in Cleveland. The Cavs are coming off a stormy 19-63 season that followed LeBron James’ departure for the Lakers as a free agent last summer. Just six games in, the team fired Tyronn Lue, the only Cavs coach or manager to win a major sports championship since 1964.
Beilein inherits a young Cavs team that includes All-Star forward Kevin Love, point guard Collin Sexton, forward Larry Nance Jr. and guard Jordan Clarkson.
The Cavs’ roster will get a major upgrade in next month’s draft, and if the pingpong balls bounce their way in the lottery, the Cavs could wind up with Duke All-American Zion Williamson.