Adrian Wojnarowski had an interesting tweet yesterday about Beilein being a coveted coach in the NBA.
“Two college coaches who intrigue NBA execs – some who have openings, some who don’t: Michigan’s John Beilein and Virginia’s Tony Bennett.”
Wondering what you guys think… Would JB be a good fit at that level? Seems like he’s pretty rooted at Michigan – how many coaches first go to the NBA at over 60 – but an interesting topic to discuss nonetheless.
I was just thinking that same thing as I watched the games last night.
I think Beilein would be a good coach simply because his ego wouldn’t get in the way of figuring out how to make it work.
IMO He would be Popovich-like in making a team gel, finding how guys work, development, and offensive punch.
Not enough time on the Shot Clock in the NBA for JB.
Not enough time on the Shot Clock in the NBA for JB.
Don’t see that as a huge issue personally. Did find it interesting that Beilein and Bennett have both generally played some of the slowest basketball in the country and were both listed by Woj.
Depends on the roster. If Golden St. were interested, I think he would do very well. If the Pistons were looking, and he had to coach Josh Smith and Brandon Jennings, he would leap off of the Ambassador Bridge.
Depends on the roster. If Golden St. were interested, I think he would do very well. If the Pistons were looking, and he had to coach Josh Smith and Brandon Jennings, he would leap off of the Ambassador Bridge.
Haha that is awesome.
I think him mastering the pick and roll recently would serve him well in the NBA. But I think you nailed it. JB doesn’t seem like the kind of guy that would put up with some of the nonsense and egos that the nba brings.
Owners like Beilein and Bennett because they can win with less. As JBlair52 said, Beilein is capable of building a winning team similar to the Spurs.
You have to wonder how he would do with players that won’t work hard to develop and improve. I think his talent is to teach the game and improve players…not sure how that translates to the NBA. With 84 games it seems there is little time to work on your game…plus the fatigue factor. He certainly knows how to coach the PNR and teach shooting mechanics which is why he’s such a great college coach. The NBA is so much more a business filled with player drama IMO…lots of money on the line.
I think Beilein relishes teaching and developing young men into better players and adults. But if he were willing to try the NBA, I think he’d be successful, especially if he had a say in personnel. He is someone who is almost universally respected and I think NBA players generally play harder for a coach they respect.
I could see Coach retiring from UM and taking a job as an offensive guru asst coach ala Pete Carril in Sacramento.
I could see Coach retiring from UM and taking a job as an offensive guru asst coach ala Pete Carril in Sacramento.
Don’t think Beilein would take to his last job being as an assistant 
This is a guy that has never been an assistant coach for his entire career…
I think he’d be perfectly fine in terms of Xs and Os. There are few better students of the game. I just think he’d get frustrated from a personnel standpoint. As a college coach, he has final say in the kinds of players and kids he recruits. Might not always get his plan A or plan B, but he can be picky and choose from a very wide pool of players and fit them together. In the NBA, his GM or President might override his decision on who to draft and/or sign. And he has a smaller pool of players to choose from because there aren’t alot of athletes capable of playing in the NBA.
I could see Coach retiring from UM and taking a job as an offensive guru asst coach ala Pete Carril in Sacramento.Don’t think Beilein would take to his last job being as an assistant
This is a guy that has never been an assistant coach for his entire career…
Of course, but Carrill was never an assistant either, had a similarly long college career, and was never viewed as someone who would be an asst. I think the asst position in the pros gave Carrill the satisfaction of working at the highest level of basketball without the stress of running the show. I could very easily see Beilein enjoying the last phase of his career in a similar capacity, especially if he was able to land a position in a climate that suited his retirement and didn’t require him to travel with the team to away games (similar to Carrill’s position).
For all of the reasons listed above, I have a hard time seeing Beilein taking a head coaching position in the league, but there are other avenues in the NBA that I could see him explore after his college days are done.
No. He’d make for a terrible NBA coach. Nothing to see here. Keep moving along!
But seriously, he definitely has the personality for it. He doesn’t publicly berate his players (Tom Izzo, Frank Martin) which is one of the most important qualities in an NBA coach. You can’t air out millionaires on the sidelines and then expect them to give their all for you. He’s a calming force and an energy giver at the same time.
Whether or not his scheme would work is another issue. Personally, I respect Beilein enough to think that he could successfully incorporate a number of wrinkles in his offense to accommodate any combination of players/skills.
In summary, back off NBA! You’ve already got enough of our players!