Jerry Sloan, Jeff Van Gundy Decline Warriors’ Interview Invitations

The Golden State Warriors reached out to Jerry Sloan and Jeff Van Gundy about the team's open head coach job, but each declined an invitation to interview for the job, reports Matt Steinmetz of CSNBayArea.com. Steinmetz cites sources who said Van Gundy, who has been out of the league for four years, was intrigued by the Warriors' job but wants to remain as an TV analyst instead of a head coach for the time being. Sloan, who in February retired after more than two decades at the helm of the Utah Jazz, is likely to remain out of the league.

The Warriors fired Keith Smart after one season; he was hired in 2010 before new owner Joe Lacob officially took control, and it was unfeasible for the franchise to wait until the transfer of ownership was complete to making a decision on a coach. Smart apparently failed to impress Lacob in the Warriors' 36-46 season.

Mike Brown and Dwane Casey were the first two candidates interviewed by the Warriors, reports ESPN's Marc Stein. Casey is the lead assistant for Rick Carlisle of the Dallas Mavericks; Brown was fired by the Cleveland Cavaliers a year ago.