The Charlotte Hornets are interviewing former NBA player and current ESPN analyst JJ Redick for their head coaching position, according to The Athletic’s Shams Charania.
The Charlotte Hornets are interviewing JJ Redick for their head coaching job, sources tell @TheAthletic @Stadium. The 15-year NBA veteran and former Duke star has shown an interest in making a coaching jump in recent years.
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) April 22, 2024
Redick, who retired from the NBA in 2021, has no coaching experience at any level but has expressed interest in coaching in recent years.
He has been a broadcaster for ESPN, calling games and hosting podcasts, including “The Old Man and the Three” and “Mind the Game” with LeBron James.
While Redick’s lack of coaching experience may be seen as a drawback, there have been instances of successful transitions from broadcasting to coaching, such as Pat Riley with the Showtime Lakers.
However, there have also been cases where hiring a former player without coaching experience did not pan out, like Steve Nash with the Brooklyn Nets.
The Hornets have been conducting interviews for their head coaching vacancy, with Redick joining a long list of candidates.
The team is undergoing an organizational shift, as former owner Michael Jordan sold the team and new executive Jeff Peterson took over.
The Hornets are a rebuilding team with potential cornerstones in Brandon Miller and LaMelo Ball, and they also have a high chance of landing a top-five pick in the upcoming draft.
Despite Redick’s lack of coaching experience, his basketball knowledge and media work have earned him praise. He has previously interviewed for coaching positions with the Toronto Raptors and the Boston Celtics.
The Hornets are also considering other candidates with coaching experience, but Redick’s experience as a player and broadcaster could make him a viable choice for the head coaching role.
Fans reacted as follows:
lebron boutta get this man a head coaching job 💀💀💀
— Coach Rome (@Rome_Beast) April 22, 2024
Love him, but as he says on his podcast, his only coaching experience is his son’s middle school AAU team.
— BullsMuse (@BullsMuse_) April 22, 2024
Finally, he not announcing anymore 🙏
— ᴅ ʀ ᴇ ᴡ (@FeelLikeDrew) April 22, 2024
Free agent NBA coaches seeing JJ Redick getting head coaching interviews pic.twitter.com/hOgTIEKgd6
— BetMGM 🦁 (@BetMGM) April 22, 2024
I like the guy, but if he wants to coach, he can pay his dues as an assistant first. What qualifies him to instantly become a head coach?
— Playoff Chris Bernucca (@ChrisBernucca) April 22, 2024
The only good analyst out there and he wants to take his talents to Charlotte!!!? pic.twitter.com/qqAD2b5ISM
— 🚀 (@AaronPKP) April 22, 2024
But what about the podcast Shams? Can he still do that?
— Ross Pins (@chisportsross) April 22, 2024
@jj_redick will do big things and succeed no matter what he decides to do
— Doubleuwjr (@Doubleuwjr) April 22, 2024
@jj_redick has a real shot at that job. His professionalism and mind for the game plus relationship with the players may change the culture and situation with the Hornets.
— Kushi (@KushiKuritikaru) April 22, 2024
JJ Redick's basketball knowledge is valuable coaching requires more than just playing experience raising questions about his readiness for the role.
— Nadir Sameed (@NadirSameed) April 22, 2024
This is so a hornets move. Hire a guy with absolutely no college or pro coaching experience.
— Tom Holland Oates (@Gam3rdudeJ) April 22, 2024
One of the greatest basketball minds. He might be able to turn that franchise around.
— Stock Sports (@StockSportsIO) April 22, 2024
if Mind the Game ends after 4 episodes I'll be pretty sad. but also it'd be cool to see JJ get a shot at being a coach since he clearly wants that
— Southern Charm Sports (@SouthernCharmSp) April 22, 2024
