News and Features

Sixers coaching search is underway

The 76ers search for their next head coach is long underway, with several reports out of Philadelphia confirming that President and General Manager Ed Stefanski met with Eddie Jordan on Friday morning.

Jordan has ties with Stefanski dating back to their days together in New Jersey, when Stefanski was a member of the Nets’ front office while Jordan was on the bench as an assistant coach during the team’s run to consecutive NBA Finals appearances.

And while the first of what will be many meetings already took place, Stefanski will continue to go through his list to find the right person for the job.

“I’ll start to see who’s been coaching, who’s not been coaching. You look at assistants, you look at head coaches, you look at everything,” Stefanski said during a conference call on Monday. “We’ll start from there, get a list together and figure out the ones I feel comfortable with to interview.”

During the search, Stefanski will continue to use all the resources available to him and make this decision in what he termed a “timely fashion.” Contrary to published reports, no definitive timetable has been set as to when a new head coach will be in place.

“[The decision] is very important,” Stefanski said. “The coach is the guy who’s going to be the leader of these players. We have to get it right and we will get it right. We’re not going to rush into something just to get it done quickly. “

While Stefanski continues the process of selecting the team’s next head coach, the team will keep their conversations with potential candidates private and not comment on the search– which is consistent with long-standing team policy.

The team’s coaching search started last week, when Tony DiLeo returned to his position as Senior Vice President and Assistant General Manager. Since that time, Stefanski has repeatedly stated what he is looking for in a candidate.

“There are a few things that I really look for in a coach,” Stefanski said “A communicator; communication is huge in any walk of life, especially when you’re coaching NBA players. Also, a guy who is a leader and will hold players accountable.

“I also want a coach who will develop players. When you bring in young kids and draft picks, you need them to be developed. Obviously X’s and O’s are part of it too. It has to be a percentage of all of them, but I’m real big on anything I do in communication.”

Stefanski went on to say that the candidate did not need NBA head coaching experience and that whoever earns the job will have the “flexibility” to bring in his own coaching staff.

Meanwhile, in an interview that appeared in today’s Philadelphia Inquirer, Sixers Chairman Ed Snider reiterated a point Stefanski made earlier in the week – that there are no restrictions on the financial commitment the team could make to the right candidate.

And the search for that candidate continues.