- John Beilein’s future with the Cleveland Cavaliers is looking as uncertain as ever, with rumors he could be out before the season finishes.
- Beilein’s old-school approach is more suited to the college basketball ranks.
- With the Cavaliers sitting on a 14-40 record that consigns them to the lower reaches of the Eastern Conference, a change is on the horizon.
It’s safe to say that Cleveland Cavaliers head coach John Beilein has found the transition from college sports to the professional ranks challenging.
Beilein has been on the bench for close to fifty years, but he’s likely never experienced anything like he has in the past nine months.
The gulf between college and the pro ranks is huge
The hiring of someone as successful and experienced as John Beilein should have been a no-brainer. The guy has been coaching since 1975 and has accomplishments in spades.
- Two-time NCAA Regional Final Four champion
- Two-time Big Ten tournament champion
- Big Ten coach of the year
On paper, the New York native has it all.
Unfortunately for the Cavaliers and Beilein, sports aren’t played on paper. The professional basketball environment is worlds away from the college landscape.
As a college coach, Beilein could rule with authority. Not so in the pro ranks. Dealing with millionaire professionals is different from working with unpaid kids.
John Beilein isn’t the only problem plaguing the Cavaliers
It’s easy to blame the coach and think that sacking him will solve the myriad problems that plague the Cavaliers.
Granted, some of the issues Beilein is facing are of his own doing. Referring to his players as “thugs” probably didn’t help his cause all that much.
But this debacle implicates the front office too – not just John Beilein.
General manager Koby Altman has overseen some highly questionable decision-making. The Kyrie Irving trade, anyone?
And the extension that Altman handed to Kevin Love in 2018 has rendered the Californian untradeable.
The final straw has to be the hiring of Beilein.
A rookie coach at the age of 66?
Rookie coaches aren’t unusual in the NBA. Teams take a risk on such moves frequently. Some pay off, while others don’t.
But a rookie coach at 66 years old? To further compound the issue, Altman handed his sexagenarian rookie a five-year contract.
Was he looking to bring someone in who could coach and mentor a relatively young team? Who knows. It seems to have backfired spectacularly, though.
John Beilein certainly isn’t going to have much to complain about regardless of how this plays out. That ridiculous five-year contract will see him pocket a decent chunk of change when the Cavaliers finally send him on his way.
Having just celebrated his 67th birthday this month, he can retire comfortably – or get back into the coaching game he knows best. He’ll have no shortage of offers from colleges looking for an experienced coach to get their programs back on track.
As for the Cleveland Cavaliers? A sixth coach in seven seasons awaits. The fact that the team had been to four straight NBA finals of late – and secured one championship – may buy Koby Altman some time.
But not much.
Getting this next coaching appointment right is crucial.
Disclaimer: The opinions expressed in this article do not necessarily reflect the views of CCN.com.
This article was edited by Josiah Wilmoth.
