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Cavs hire John Beilein as new head coach
By InsideHoops.comMay 13, 2019
1:07 p.m. ET
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The Cleveland Cavaliers have picked their new head coach: University of Michigan Head Coach John Beilein.“We conducted a deep and thorough search to find the best possible candidate for the next head coach of the Cleveland Cavaliers. We interviewed several strong and talented candidates who, no doubt, will get an opportunity to become an NBA head coach somewhere down the line,” said Cavs General Manager Koby Altman. “Following the end of those interviews, it became clear to us that Coach Beilein was the right choice and best fit for our franchise. John is one of the most accomplished and innovative basketball minds and leaders in the entire game. He has a unique ability to create an outstanding culture that will promote the development of young players and provide a solid structure to the entire program; not to mention the fact that John Beilein wins everywhere he goes. We are excited Coach Beilein is joining our organization as we continue to build the foundation that any enterprise needs to be successful and competitive year in and year out.”
Beilein has a college basketball coaching career record of 829-468 (.639). He's in the top 10 for career victories among active NCAA Division I head coaches.
“We could not be more thrilled to name John Beilein as the new coach of the Cleveland Cavaliers,” said Chairman Dan Gilbert. “First, John is a great human being. He cares deeply about his players and others who work for him and around him. He defines the words class, integrity and character. He is a tireless worker who obsesses about finding better ways and the inches that will help his team and the organization grow. John is a brilliant basketball mind and last but not least, John Beilein is a winner. I also want to thank Koby and his hardworking staff for turning over every rock while relentlessly searching for our new head coach since the minute this past season ended. It is no surprise that Koby and his team landed on John Beilein as great cultures attract others who hold the same values as the foundation for everything they do. I can’t wait for next season to begin.”
"I want to thank the University of Michigan for what has been a truly special home and remarkable place for my family and I for the last 12 years. We have achieved great success together and we could not have done it without the incredible support of our administration, coaches, players, staff, students, fans and the entire university community. We shared some of the best moments of my life together and I will always be grateful for that, ” said Beilein. “At the same time, I felt very strongly about this new and exciting opportunity with the Cavaliers. I am very thankful to Dan Gilbert and Koby Altman and honored to be the head coach of the Cavaliers. I love the position the team is in to build and grow and this was something I felt was the perfect fit for me. With hard work and dedication by all of us, we will grow this team day by day and reinforce a culture of success that sustains itself with strong core values. Cleveland is a great city with amazing fans and I am really looking forward to calling Cleveland home for years to come.”
Beilein played four seasons (1971-75) of college basketball at Wheeling College (which is now known as Wheeling Jesuit University), and was team captain in his junior season.
The Cavs are in a rebuilding period. They finished just 19-63 last season and have no clear young star building block other than perhaps rookie guard Colin Sexton, who has nice scoring ability. But the majority of the roster is in flux. Kevin Love remains a Cavalier, but it would not be surprising were he to be traded, perhaps this offseason.
Beilein will be part of a presumably long process. But first, he gets a warm welcome to the journey.