Report: Pistons focusing on Beilein, Casey for head coach
Rod Beard
The Detroit Pistons’ search for a new coach could be coming down to the final stages.
After being linked to several candidates, including Heat assistant Juwan Howard, TNT analyst Kenny Smith, former Piston Jerry Stackhouse and others, they appear to be down to their finalists.
According to ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski, the Pistons are focusing on former Raptors coach Dwane Casey and Michigan coach John Beilein.
“Detroit is interested in further conversations with former Toronto coach Dwane Casey and Michigan coach John Beilein on Pistons head coaching job,” Wojnarowski wrote on Twitter, citing league sources. “Both coaches have met with front office already.”
Pistons senior adviser Ed Stefanski is in charge of the hiring process and after meeting with both Beilein and Casey last week, they could be reaching the final stages of their search.
Beilein, 65, is under contract with Michigan through 2021, at $3.4 million per season, but he could be looking for a bigger challenge, after leading the Wolverines to the national championship game last season.
Casey, 61, led the Raptors to a 59-23 record, the best finish in franchise history, but after being swept by the Cavaliers, Casey was fired.
More: Beard: There's plenty for Pistons to like in John Beilein
Rod.Beard@detroitnews.com
Twitter: @detnewsRodBeard