Elston Turner, a longtime Rick Adelman assistant coach who has worked for the Houston Rockets for the past four seasons, will not be the next head coach of that team, according to Jonathan Feigen of the Houston Chronicle (via SB Nation Houston). Meanwhile, San Antonio Spurs assistant Mike Budenholzer, considered Gregg Popovich's right-hand man, will be a candidate, reports Tim Griffin of the San Antonio Express-News (via Pounding The Rock).
Rockets Coach Search Loses Elston Turner, Gains Mike Budenholzer
Turner's relationship with Adelman dates back to the Sacramento Kings, where Turner served as the coach's top assistant. After Adelman's contract with the Kings was not renewed, Turner did interview for the head coach position, but that gig eventually went to Eric Musselman, who lasted just one season. Turner has never been an NBA head coach.
Budenholzer has interviewed for several NBA head coach jobs in recent years, including the Phoenix Suns job that went to Terry Porter (who lasted less than one season) and eventually ended up in Alvin Gentry's hands. Tom Thibodeau's rousing success in Chicago will only bolster Budenholzer's candidacy in Houston and elsewhere.
For more on the Rockets’ search, visit The Dream Shake.
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