Charlotte Bobcats owner Michael Jordan is set to hire former Adelaide 36ers coach Mike Dunlap
Photo: Getty Images
Former Adelaide 36ers coach Mike Dunlap is reportedly set to lead the Charlotte Bobcats after they recorded the NBA's worst record last season.
Dunlap was a success during his three years in Adelaide from 1994-96, guiding the 36ers to a runners-up finish in his first year and reaching the playoffs in the next two years.
However, he returned to the US for the following season after the death of his father.
The Bobcats, owned by NBA legend Michael Jordan, won just seven of their 66 games. Cleveland and New Orleans were the next two worst teams with a 21-45 record.
Coach Paul Silas was sacked immediately after the season ended as the Bobcats embarked on a search for a coach to continue rebuilding the club.
But Dunlap's imminent appointment comes as something of a surprise, given he has spent most of his US coaching career in the college system apart from two seasons working as an NBA assistant coach with the Denver Nuggets.
Nuggets coach George Karl has endorsed Dunlap for the Charlotte job.
"To hire a guy of knowledge and character and service more than spin and perception is something that makes me feel great," Karl told the Denver Nuggets website. "The basketball gods kind of rewarded the right stuff."
"They have such a young team and they need to build a culture of professionalism and fundamentals," Karl said. "I think you need a teacher as much as you need a strategist. I know Mike knows how to teach the culture and the fundamental foundation."