The longtime Michigan coach is going to Cleveland at 66 years old.
The Cleveland Cavaliers stunned two levels of the basketball world on Monday with the decision to hire John Beilein as the franchise’s next head coach. Beilein had spent the last 12 years turning Michigan into one of college basketball’s most successful programs, a stint headlined by runs to the national championship game in 2013 and 2018.
The impact of this move will reverberate throughout college and the NBA. This is why Beilein’s jump to the Cavs is so shocking.
John Beilein has never coached at the NBA level
Beilein has spent his entire career coaching at the college level, rising the ranks from community colleges to coaching on the biggest stages of the sport in the Final Four. Beilein began as a high school coach in 1975 before jumping Erie Community College in Buffalo. Here’s the path he took to the Cavs.
Beilein has never been an assistant and his programs have never caught up in scandal. His ability to climb the coaching ranks is a testament to nothing but the brilliance of his own basketball mind. It doesn’t feel like a stretch to say taking the Cavs job will be the biggest challenge of his coaching career.
John Beilein is 66 years old
The Cavs are giving Beilein a five-year deal for a coach who turns 67 years old in February. While Beilein’s age will raise eyebrows, an older coach getting a multi-year contract is hardly unprecedented. The San Antonio Spurs announced a three-year extension with head coach Gregg Popovich (who is 70 years old) earlier this month.
The Cavs are looking at a long rebuild
In their first year following LeBron James’ departure to Los Angles, Cleveland finished with the second worst record in the NBA at 19-63. The Cavs are one of three teams with the best chance at landing the No. 1 pick in Tuesday’s NBA draft lottery at 14 percent.
While Beilein had turned Michigan into a powerhouse, the Wolverines were set to experience major roster turnover. Michigan saw starters Charles Matthews, Ignas Brazdeikis, and Jordan Poole, declare for the draft this June.
The Cavs hopes Beilein can be a “culture driver”, according to ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski.
The Cavs once tried to hire Tom Izzo
This isn’t the first time the Cavs have tried to hire one of the preeminent college coaches in the state of Michigan. Owner Dan Gilbert — who was born in Detroit — offered the Cavs job to Michigan State’s Tom Izzo in 2010 with a reported five-year, $30 million. Izzo declined and LeBron James would leave the franchise in free agency for the first time weeks later.
One of Beilein’s former stars is the Cavs’ assistant GM
Beilein helped turn around West Virginia with a run to the Elite Eight in 2005 followed by a Sweet 16 run in 2006. One of Beilein’s biggest stars was Mike Gansey, a shooting guard who went undrafted but enjoyed a professional career that lasted more than a decade.
Gansey is 36 years old now and is the assistant general manager of the Cavs under Koby Altman. His fingerprints are all over this hire.
Beilein interviewed for the Pistons and Magic jobs last year
Beilein interviewed for head coaching jobs with the Orlando Magic and Detroit Pistons over the last few years but never made the jump.
One of the great college coaches of the era has finally jumped to the NBA
Beilein put Michigan basketball back on the map during his 12 years as head coach. No college coach won more NCAA tournament games since 2013:
Most Tournament wins since 2013
— Paul Hembekides (@PaulHembo) May 13, 2019
JOHN BEILEIN (18)
John Calipari (18)
Mike Krzyzewski (18)
Roy Williams (18)
Michigan now has to scramble to find a new leader. The Cavs, meanwhile, get to continue their rebuild with one of college basketball’s most revered minds.
Beilein’s first task in Cleveland: bringing the Cavs some good luck in the lottery on Tuesday. The Cavs’ job looks a lot better if they land Zion Williamson.
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