St. John's assistant Mike Dunlap will be the next head coach of the Charlotte Bobcats, according to multiple reports. Dunlap has two years of NBA experience, working on George Karl's bench in Denver from 2006-08, but otherwise he's spent the majority of his career as a college assistant. He was selected over numerous higher-profile candidates who interviewed for the position, including Jerry Sloan, Nate McMillan, Brian Shaw, Patrick Ewing and Quin Snyder.
Mike Dunlap To Be Bobcats Next Head Coach, According To Reports
The Charlotte Observer’s Rick Bonnell was the first to report the hire. ESPN’s Chris Broussard also confirmed the news. From Bonnell:
The Observer’s source, who asked for anonymity because Dunlap’s hire isn’t official, said Dunlap impressed the front office with his high energy and collaborative approach. Also, he wants to run an up-tempo offense and attacking defense that figures to fit some of the Bobcats’ younger personnel.
Dunlap, 54, has more than 30 years of coaching experience. He followed his stint with the Nuggets with stops at Arizona and Oregon before joining Steve Lavin's bench at St. John's in 2010. When Lavin took a leave of absence to recover from prostate cancer last November, Dunlap finished the season as interim head coach. The Red Storm finished the 2011-12 season with a 13-17 record (6-11 Big East).
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