Mike Brown is returning to coach the Clevaland Cavaliers, reports from Cleveland are saying Monday.
The team and its onetime coach have reportedly reached a handshake deal on a new contract to bring Mike Brown back to the team for a second time. Brown was fired from the Cavs in 2010 despite turning in back-to-back 60 win seasons.
It was reported on Monday that Mike Brown had emerged as a favorite to win the Cavs job and that the two sides were negotiating a long-term contract.
Brown was the last coach to have success in Cleveland, which has tanked since the departure of LeBron James and spent the last three seasons in the lottery. He led the team to five straight playoff appearances between 2005 and 2011.
If the reports are true, Mike Brown joins a Cavs team showing signs of promise. It will have a high draft pick this year, giving the Cavs a chance to add another important piece to go with All Star guard Kyrie Irving.
Brown had taken a job leading the Los Angeles Lakers, but was fired after the team had a slow start to this year. After his firing, Brown’s family decided to move back to Cleveland this summer.
There was strong competition for Mike Brown’s services, ESPN reported. Brown had already turned down the Phoenix Suns for a coaching job and likely would have been a top candidate for other upcoming openings.
#Cavs and Mike Brown have reached handshake agreement on deal, league source tells Akron Beacon Journal. Official announcement expected tmrw
— Jason Lloyd (@JasonLloydABJ) April 23, 2013
Before the Cavs selected Mike Brown as the next head coach, the team reached out to Phil Jackson about making a return to the NBA. Jackson was reportedly in the hunt for the job as he makes a comeback bid, and the Zen Master will likely generate interest from other teams as well.
