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Report: Jordi Fernandez expected to be a candidate for Atlanta Hawks head coach

In the wake of the Hawks firing Nate McMillan, Mike Brown’s top assistant is expected to be a candidate.
By | 32 Comments | Feb 21, 2023

Dec 28, 2022; Sacramento, California, USA; Sacramento Kings interim head coach Jordi Fernandez looks on during the first half against the Denver Nuggets at Golden 1 Center. Mandatory Credit: Sergio Estrada-USA TODAY Sports

In a bit of odd timing, the Atlanta Hawks fired head coach Nate McMillan this afternoon.

Although the situation in Atlanta had been rocky for some time, the timing of McMillan’s dismissal is certainly strange.

Woj says that Joe Prunty will serve as interim but the Hawks will waste no time trying to find a new coach. And as far as that search goes, Shams Charania listed the Kings’ Jordi Fernandez as a candidate.

While I suspect that Jordi won’t be the top candidate for the Hawks, I also don’t think this will be the last time Jordi is a candidate to become a head coach. He’s Mike Brown’s lead assistant on a surprisingly successful team, and already had a strong résumé before coming to Sacramento. From the glimpses we get from things like The Run, I have no doubt that someday Fernandez will become a head coach.

For now, though, I say Atlanta can kick rocks. I’m not ready to lose Jordi yet.

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billoddity
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February 21, 2023 3:34 pm

Noooooo he’s a star

andy_sims
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February 21, 2023 3:35 pm

Aaaaah, shit.

I’m rooting for the guy if he wants the job, but he’s been such a positive for Sacramento, I’d hate to see him go. At least Mike Brown knows how to hire coaches when need be.

Last edited 1 year ago by andy_sims
Kosta
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February 21, 2023 3:48 pm

comment image

Kosta
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February 21, 2023 4:01 pm
Reply to  Kosta

*DESSERT you

(red velvet and all)

Kosta
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February 21, 2023 6:08 pm
Reply to  Kosta

Never gonna make you cry
Never gonna say goodbye
Never gonna tell a lie and HUERT you

Hippity_Hop_Barbershop
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February 21, 2023 4:06 pm

This would be a bummer if we lost him. I really like his style and leadership.

RobHessing
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February 21, 2023 4:22 pm

Landry Fields is a fine name for a Dallas area shopping mall, but it should never be the name of your immediate boss. Just say no, Jordi.

Kosta
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February 21, 2023 6:09 pm
Reply to  RobHessing

comment image

NorCalKingsFan
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February 21, 2023 6:38 pm

While he completely deserves to be a HC in this league, I hope he doesn’t leave just yet, the job ain’t done yet.

RPO
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RPO
February 21, 2023 6:38 pm

I say Atlanta can kick rocks.

I say Atlanta can do other, less savory, things. Hopefully Jordi says so, too.

Last edited 1 year ago by RPO
UpgradedToQuestionable
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February 21, 2023 6:45 pm
Reply to  RPO

Who’s gonna not give 5 F&^#$ if Jordi isn’t around? That guy has to stay.

mdeedublu
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February 21, 2023 8:00 pm

I figured we’d see a post like this in the off-season but after the all star break?!?!?!

Kingsguru21
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February 21, 2023 9:22 pm
Reply to  mdeedublu

Yeah, I think it’s bad form too. After all, just because you have an opening right this second doesn’t mean you have to let a guy go during his contract.

During the offseason, you can let Jordi go. Not until then though.

Adamsite
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Nostradumbass 14
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February 21, 2023 9:46 pm
Reply to  Kingsguru21

FWIW, I don’t think anyone is getting hired before the summer. I honestly can’t recall if an assistant left his current team to join another team post all-star break. Let alone one that was in the playoff picture.

Don’t most interim coaches last to the offseason? Actually, the only one I can remember to buck that trend was when the Kings ousted interim Ty Corbin for George Karl…but that was also peak Kangz.

IMO, if they hire anyone before the end of the season it will be Snyder, and that too would transform the Hawks to the Haukz.

Kingsguru21
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February 21, 2023 10:11 pm
Reply to  Adamsite

Yeah, that’s usually how it works Adam but maybe the Atl FO isn’t really caring. They don’t seem to be operating under typical hiring practices. And I was going off the way Woj and Shams worded their tweets. Usually, you have someone named an interim. They didn’t do that.

So that’s why I responded the way I did.

Actually, the only one I can remember to buck that trend was when the Kings ousted interim Ty Corbin for George Karl…but that was also peak Kangz.

This Atl FO might be that level of dysfunctional. That’s my point.

Klam
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February 21, 2023 10:28 pm
Reply to  Adamsite

Lol, Haukz. That made me laugh out loud.

Kingsguru21
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February 22, 2023 11:41 am
Reply to  Greg

Finch is a rare occurrence, not a typical one. But even then, Rosas was targeting Finch. He didn’t do a coaching search.

Ressler (both of em) thought they could start the coaching search with the season still in full swing. Why they thought they could is anyone’s guess.

AnybodyButBagley
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February 21, 2023 11:10 pm
Reply to  Kingsguru21

No NBA team ever let’s a coach go during their contract.

Kingsguru21
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February 22, 2023 7:36 am

During the season? It’s extremely rare. During the offseason? Quite common.

The issue here is that Jordi is under contract and the regular season is still in play. Mike Brown was hired for 6 weeks before he really started in Sac because he was obligated to finish out his time with the Dubs. That’s the way it works. No-one in Sac was upset by that. Everyone knew the deal.

If Atlanta’s FO thinks they can just hire any coach right here and now, they are on straight up crazy pills. They could hire Snyder, or Udoka, no problem. Those guys aren’t employed. But Jordi Fernandez is.

It’s simply an issue of respect. And the Hawks FO seems to lack that atm for other franchises. What I think will happen is they get rebuffed by these teams with these assistants and get denied permission , ‘announce’ Joe Prunty as coach for the rest of the year, and simply announce they will look for coaches in the offseason once it begins for Atl.

If the Hawks want to hire Jordi this offseason, by all means. Just do it at the appropriate time.

AnybodyButBagley
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February 22, 2023 8:53 am
Reply to  Kingsguru21

They have done nothing yet.

Making it known who you want is a good idea. Maybe these guys are willing to break “tradition” for a shot at a once in a lifetime opportunity?

The Hawks need a coach and they need something to turn things around. “Tradition” is probably not their number one concern.

Kingsguru21
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February 22, 2023 9:21 am

https://twitter.com/KLChouinard/status/1628434868928380931?t=hphS7bJkkk1l52x1qdAnmQ&s=19

The Hawks are already tacitly admitting that they weren’t getting permission to talk to these guys.

https://twitter.com/KLChouinard/status/1628426703658708997?t=RtSYRBkil97FP_MEVyxBfw&s=19

There’s no reason to mention other assistants from other teams and at the same time mention that an assistant on the current staff is staying. Especially when that assistant is the son of the departed head coach.

https://twitter.com/KLChouinard/status/1628429136879403008?t=Tcey3kVxUxX1MRaJxEUFSA&s=19

Bottom line, the Hawks are begging Quin Snyder to come and Quin said for ‘x amount of dollars’. Tony Ressler, the Hawks owner said,’ Well can’t we get an assistant for cheaper?’ Landry Fields and Kyle Korver said: ‘Not during the regular season. Teams wont give us permission to talk to their assistants until the regular season ends.’

Basically, Nick Ressler (Tony’s kid who works in the FO) who works with Fields and Korver, didn’t understand the hiring process of assistants. They want Snyder whom Tony hasn’t agreed to pay (and might not in the end). So, they are walking back what they were thinking they were going to do and run with Joe Prunty and the coaching staff Nate McMillan had. Plus, Snyder, or Ime Udoka, won’t agree to take this over now anyway. They would want a fresh start, understandably and wisely so.

What a dumbass FO. Absolute dumpster fire over there in Atl right now. I never thought Jordi was leaving during the season, but it’s again how fast the reality of how etiquette works and kicks you in the teeth and you have to observe the rules of the land (even unwritten rules).

Ah, the learning curves of high stakes endeavors!

Adamsite
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Nostradumbass 14
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February 21, 2023 9:50 pm

I see this as a trend of improvement. When was the last time a Kings assistant coach was on a list of a new head coaching search elsewhere? Elston Turner?

This tells me that Mike Brown is doing good things, which means the Kings are doing good things. Smile and nod.

And if Jordi gets poached in the offseason, congrats to him. He’s earned it.

Klam
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February 21, 2023 10:31 pm
Reply to  Adamsite

When was the last time a Kings assistant coach was on a list of a new head coaching search elsewhere?comment image

AnybodyButBagley
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February 21, 2023 11:07 pm

We went from a head coach that was not able to get a spot running a kindergarten skills camp to an assistant that is considered for NBA head coaching jobs.

Good problems to have.

Kingsguru21
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February 22, 2023 7:22 am

You are aware that Luke Walton is an assistant on JB Bickerstaff’s staff in Cleveland right?

AnybodyButBagley
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February 22, 2023 8:51 am
Reply to  Kingsguru21

Yeah. He is killing it isn’t he?

Kingsguru21
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February 22, 2023 9:22 am

Huh?

AnybodyButBagley
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February 22, 2023 6:44 pm
Reply to  Kingsguru21

Sarcasm. All hatred for the idiot put aside…..he is probably a decent assistant. He has proven where his peak is.

RikSmits
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February 22, 2023 10:49 am

What am I missing?
Isn’t he our defensive coordinator?

Kosta
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February 22, 2023 12:06 pm
Reply to  RikSmits

Q: How does Jordi expect to get the DPOG chain through airport security?

UpgradedToQuestionable
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February 22, 2023 12:32 pm
Reply to  Kosta

Mike Brown should, of course and absolutely, hire his own staff.

But…

If Jordi Fernandez gets the ATL Head Coaching gig (and good for him), I would think a nice replacement, in addition to Jay Triano or Luke Loucks, would be Nate McMillan.

not sayin’, jus’ sayin’

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