The Alabama Crimson Tide’s search for a new head coach took a turn this week, as a face quite familiar in the hoops realm is rumored to be in the mix to fill the head coach position.
ESPN.com, in addition to other sources, are reporting that Alabama plans to meet with former NBA guard, coach and analyst Avery Johnson. The two parties are scheduled to meet Saturday night, sources have reported.
The Tide’s search for a new head coach has been a hot topic since they fired coach Anthony Grant.
They have since gone through a bit of a whirlwind trying to land a new coach, but with no success. The Grant firing is probably still a bit of a mystery, as he still had a few years left on a hefty contract; perhaps it had something to do with how the season disolved. He led the Tide to a 12-3 start, before the team faltered in the second half.
In a six year run under Grant, Alabama went 117-85 with three NIT appearences and a NCAA tourney bid in 2012.
Speaking of 2012: That’s the last time Johnson, 50, wore the coach’s cap. Before his 2010-12 stint coaching the Nets, he coached the Dallas Mavericks and led them to their first NBA Finals. Avery also won NBA Coach of The Year in 2006.
The New Orleans native’s player repertoire started in the late 80s with the now-defunked Seattle SuperSonics and end in 2004 with the current Western Conference titan Golden State Warriors.
Taking the Alabama position would make SEC hoops an ever-present theme in Johnson household, as his son, Avery Jr. is a freshman point guard — surprise, surprise — at Texas A&M.
Johnson is reportedly in the interview mix with Murray State coach Steve Prohm and Louisiana Tech coach Mike White.
Can’t get enough of Campus Sports? Follow us on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram to stay updated with the latest news and exclusive giveaways!
*Featured Photo (above) credit to Debby Wong-USA TODAY Sports
