The Milwaukee Bucks may have already had a replacement candidate in mind when they fired head coach Jason Kidd on Monday.
Sam Amick of USA TODAY reports that former New Orleans Pelicans coach Monty Williams is a “name to remember” for the now-vacant Bucks position.
On the Bucks coaching front, Monty Williams is a name to remember when it comes to offseason candidates. The former Pels coach has been patiently waiting for his next chance (while working in the Spurs front office).
— Sam Amick (@sam_amick) January 22, 2018
Chris Mannix of Yahoo! Sports later confirmed Amick’s report and added that Williams is expected to emerge as a favorite for the job.
As @sam_amick noted, expect former Pelicans coach Monty Williams to emerge as an early favorite for the Bucks head coaching job. Williams currently working in the Spurs front office.
— Chris Mannix (@ChrisMannixYS) January 22, 2018
The 46-year-old Williams served as coach in New Orleans for five seasons from 2010 to 2015, compiling a 173-221 record (.439) and leading them to two playoff berths. He was fired by the Pelicans in 2015 and would then become associate head coach for the Oklahoma City Thunder for the 2015-16 season. Williams now works in the San Antonio Spurs front office, as noted above.
While other prominent ex-head coaches will likely draw buzz for the Bucks job as well, Williams’ experience should put him among the elite candidates.
