Kevin Ollie: I have no plans to leave UConn
The Oklahoma City Thunder have yet to decide if they will bring head coach Scott Brooks back next season, but the list of potential replacements seems to have shortened on Wednesday morning.
In a statement through UConn, Huskies coach Kevin Ollie shot down rumors that he could become the next head coach of the Thunder.
“As I have said many times, I am proud and honored to be the head basketball coach at the University of Connecticut and I have no plans to pursue other opportunities,” Ollie’s statement read. “We are already excited about next season and I am looking forward to preparing our team to be the best we can be on the court, in the classroom, and in our community.”
Last week, Yahoo reported that the Thunder will be evaluating Brooks, who missed the playoffs this season for his first time as OKC’s coach. Subsequent reports have indicated that Ollie is being “seriously considered” for the job.
Ollie spent his final NBA season as a player with the Thunder in 2009-2010. He was teammates with Russell Westbrook and Kevin Durant that year and is said to have a great relationship with Durant.
Ollie led the Huskies to an improbable national championship in 2014 after taking over for former UConn coach Jim Calhoun. He signed a five-year, $15 million extension with the school last year. Ollie is not the only successful college coach who is reportedly being considered for the Thunder job.
