Detroit media suggests Spurs’ Newman as next Pistons coach

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The Detroit Pistons recently let go of their head coach John Kuester. Kuester finished with a record of 57-107 in his two year stint in Detroit. A key reason why he was let go was because he did not communicate well with his team. And by not communicating well, I mean how early in the season there was an incident where some members of his team openly quit on him.DN

So now, The Detroit Free Press is suggesting the Pistons to look towards current San Antonio Spurs assistant Don Newman as an option to replace Kuester.

Another name to keep an eye on is Don Newman, a top assistant with the San Antonio Spurs. Newman joined the staff of Gregg Popovich in June 2004. The following year, the Spurs beat the Pistons in the NBA Finals.

“We’re very fortunate to be able to add such basketball knowledge, experience and energy to our program,” Popovich said of Newman in 2004.

Newman, 54, is a physically imposing person. He played seven seasons in the Canadian Football League and attended training camps with the NFL’s Seattle Seahawks and New York Jets.

He started his coaching career working with football and basketball teams at an Idaho high school. He went on to coach at the college level — including five seasons as head coach at Sacramento State and time as the interim head coach at Arizona State — before stints as an NBA assistant with the Milwaukee Bucks and New Jersey Nets.

Recently, Spurs assistant coach Mike Budenholzer was an option for the Golden State Warriors but the franchise elected to go with Mark Jackson. Newman now becomes another Spurs coach in the NBA coaching-summer rumor mill. Do not forget Newman was also mentioned as becoming a defensive assistant coach for the Phoenix Suns.

Seems NBA teams still like to dip into the Spurs’ system for the best coaching talent.

(Photo: Mysa.com)

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Paul is an editor, writer and content manager for ProjectSpurs.com (@ProjectSpurs) and AnalyzingTheLeague.com (@ATLeague_NBA). Paul is also the host of the Spurscast (@TheSpurscast). Paul has been a credentialed media member covering the San Antonio Spurs and NBA since 2011. Paul has been featured on numerous radio, tv, online and podcast shows.