Soaring Down South
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Coach Mike Budenholzer’s future with the Atlanta Hawks is uncertain

By Ross Alacqua

LOS ANGELES, CA - FEBRUARY 15: Head Coach Mike Budenholzer of the Atlanta Hawks calls a play during the first half of a game against the LA Clippers at Staples Center on February 15, 2017 in Los Angeles, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CA - FEBRUARY 15: Head Coach Mike Budenholzer of the Atlanta Hawks calls a play during the first half of a game against the LA Clippers at Staples Center on February 15, 2017 in Los Angeles, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images) /
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Coach Budenholzer is a top-tier coach in the NBA and has brought a lot of success to the Atlanta Hawks. However, with a new front office in place, a reduction in responsibilities, and a rebuild in full swing, his future with the team is anything but certain.

In 2013, after spending 17 years as an assistant to Gregg Popovich in San Antonio, Danny Ferry brought Mike Budenholzer to Atlanta to lead the organization into a new era. In the four seasons since, the Atlanta Hawks have made the playoffs every year, set a franchise record for wins in the 2014-15 season (60) and compiled a .576 winning percentage during that span.

His system has sparked the development of players like DeMarre Carroll, Kent Bazemore, Paul Millsap, Mike Muscala and others. ‘Hawks University’ has become a common phrase around the league. He’s also had assistant coaches earn head coaching jobs in the NBA (Quin Snyder and Kenny Atkinson).  Point being, the Hawks have a good coach.

PORTLAND, OR – FEBRUARY 13: Mike Budenholzer of the Atlanta Hawks talks with Taurean Prince
PORTLAND, OR – FEBRUARY 13: Mike Budenholzer of the Atlanta Hawks talks with Taurean Prince /

After this past season, however, it was clear the Hawks needed to decide what direction to steer the franchise moving forward. Either give big money to Paul Millsap and remain in the middle of the pack in the East or start over and rebuild. They chose correctly and started the rebuild process. The reasons for that have been discussed ad nauseam and won’t be rehashed again here.

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What hasn’t been discussed much is Coach Budenholzer’s fits with this new direction. Part of the rebuild process was him stepping down as the team’s president to focus solely on coaching. I don’t buy the notion he voluntarily relinquished the role but nonetheless, it’s a decision I support. Being the Head Coach and Team President is a lot to ask of one person. Other organizations are moving in the same direction as well.

When Coach Budenholzer was named the team’s president in 2015, his revised contract was never revealed publicly. This has led some to wonder where he stands now given those responsibilities are no longer his. Steve Kyler at Basketball Insiders cited that reason, amongst others, as why Budenholzer could be on the hot seat coming into the season.

From his article…

"For the Hawks, rebuilding around a great coach like Budenholzer wouldn’t be a bad decision, the problem for the Hawks is it seems they want to go in a new direction, which is hard to do with the same guy that set the last direction."

The term “hot seat” might be a bit strong. It’s clear Budenholzer is not on the hot seat from a win-loss perspective. It pertains more to whether the Hawks view him as their long-term option to guide the team through the rebuild and beyond. I don’t know Travis Schlenk’s plan but I do know top-tier coaches are hard to find. I can’t imagine the Hawks would be looking to replace their own anytime soon.

You also have to take into account whether or not Budenholzer wants to remain with the team through this rebuild. The Hawks seem intent on expediting things as quickly as possible but from Budenholzer’s perspective, he was stripped of team president responsibilities and will now be coaching a team that will struggle to win 30 games. That’s a far cry from 60 wins and Coach of the Year honors just three seasons ago.

To be fair, part of the drop off and reason for the rebuild falls on his shoulders. He was at least partly responsible for decisions made the past two seasons that resulted in a drop off in on-court performance (i.e. signing Dwight Howard, losing Al Horford for nothing, etc…). In addition, the constant will-they-or-won’t-they the past two trade deadlines screamed of internal conflict when deciding which direction the team should take.

Next: Atlanta Hawks officially sign Summer League standout Quinn Cook

At the end of the day, the Hawks appear to have a blueprint in place. They also have a well-respected, high-level basketball coach. If they don’t view him as their coach for the future, that’s obviously their right. He wouldn’t be the first and certainly not the last coach to get replaced.

I also understand if Budenholzer doesn’t want to be part of this rebuild. He lost final decision-making power and that might be a deal breaker for some coaches. I hope that’s not the case on either side because finding a top-tier coach in this league is not easy. The Hawks have one now and would be smart to keep it that way for a while longer.

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