Coaching merry-go-round could benefit Miami Heat

If there’s one thing about the Miami Heat’s “run it back” technique over the course of the Jimmy Butler era, it has worked well when it comes to coaching. For the most part, the same staff under head coach Erik Spoelstra has been intact over the last four years. The notable assistant coaches include the likes of Chris Quinn, Malik Allen and Caron Butler.

Also on Spoelstra’s staff as assistant coaches are Octavio De La Grana and Eric Glass. As well as Wayne Ellington, Rob Fodor and Dan Bisaccio being the Heat player development coaches. According to a report from the Miami Herald, the “expectation” is that the core of Miami’s coaching staff will remain the same heading into next season.

Unless one of them gets plucked for a head coach promotion elsewhere.

Quinn had interviews for both the Los Angeles Lakers and Cleveland Cavaliers head coaching jobs over the last few weeks, but signs are pointing to him staying in South Beach. Quinn has been a lead assistant under Spoelstra since 2014.

The consistency of the franchise’s staff is rare in today’s NBA. The head coaching turnover is arguably the highest it’s ever been in league history. More recently, playoff teams like the Lakers, Phoenix Suns, and Cavaliers have all made coaching changes. In addition, the Charlotte Hornets, Detroit Pistons, Brooklyn Nets and Washington Wizards all have done the same.

The Lakers and Suns have filled their voids with JJ Redick and Mike Budenholzer, respectively. After the Pistons dismissed Monty Williams, he could be a name to look out for to fill for a team like the Cavs. Williams earned the league’s Coach of the Year award in 2021. Cleveland and Detroit remain the only teams with a coaching vacancy. 

The Heat's stability in this department has been impressive. Spoelstra has held the head coaching duties since 2008 and has two championships and six NBA Finals appearances to show for it. He brings the best out of his rosters; documented by Miami's improbable Finals run just a year ago. 

Spoelstra was signed to an eight-year, $120 million extension earlier this year. It was the largest contract committed to a coach in NBA history, and deservedly so.

Quinn, meanwhile, could be in line to be a head coach one day. But with just two openings left, it seems likely that Spoeltra will retain his top assistant.