Cassell Heading to Florida State?

[Donoghus]

Piece from Bulpett this morning.

https://heavy.com/sports/nba/boston-celtics/celtics-assistant-sam-cassell-up-for-new-job-at-florida-state/

BOSTON ? Multiple sources are indicating that Celtics assistant coach Sam Cassell will be in serious consideration to become the head coach next season at Florida State, his alma mater.

While some have characterized the situation in even stronger terms (that Seminole legend Charlie Ward could be his lead assistant), Cassell made three things clear to Heavy Sports Wednesday night.

1. He is extremely comfortable in his position with the Celtics.
2. He will, of course, have to listen to NBA and college offers that come his way.
3. He has NOT heard anything from Florida State regarding the job that will come open in the wake of Leonard Hamilton announcing last week he will step down at the end of this year.

?Once the athletic department reaches out to me, then (FSU?s interest) is official. But they haven?t reached out to me,? Cassell told Heavy before the Celtics took on the Spurs. ?The athletic director hasn?t reached out to me yet.?

Though he has yet to be a head coach, Cassell?s resume is otherwise impeccable. After a 15-year playing career, he has been an assistant with the Wizards (five years), Clippers (six years) and Philadelphia (three years) ? the latter two stops under Doc Rivers ? before joining Joe Mazzulla with the Celtics.

He has interviewed twice for head coaching openings with the Lakers and once with the Clippers. He insists he?s not upset that an offer has yet to come.

?If it?s God?s will, it?ll happen,? Cassell said. ?God has a plan for me?

?Listen, man, I have a great life. I?m associate head coach of the Boston Celtics. It?s good livin? right here.

?When I do get an opportunity on this level, I?ll be ready. I can guarantee that. I am ready. Simple.?

Sam Cassell Has NBA Championships
Though he reiterated last night that he?d like the opportunity to occupy the first chair, Cassell appreciates that he?s in a good spot ? dealing well with the Celtic players and making an impact on a championship team.

And he knows his way around NBA titles, having won two with Houston and one with the Celtics (2008) as a player before being fitted for a 2024 ring here.

He therefore won?t leave Boston for just any lead position, sort of the way Kenny Atkinson took, then turned down, the Charlotte gig to stay with the Warriors. Atkinson?s wait was rewarded. He?s now head coach with the Eastern Conference-leading Cavaliers.

?It?s Got to Be the Right Job?
?It?s got to be the right job,? Cassell said. ?The ducks got to line up in a row correctly for me to think about leaving to accept another job. This place has been treating me too good for me to just leave. Joe Mazzulla?s been great to me. Brad?s been great to me.

?Doc wanted me to come to Milwaukee with him after we won the championship ? Couldn?t do it. Couldn?t do it.

?I mean, everything?s good over here. We?re just trying to defend our title ? get through this regular season and mix it all up again.?

Because of his significant experience on the professional level, Cassell?s focus has generally been on NBA advancement. But, as noted above, he?s willing to listen college offers ? this, while a number of veteran coaches are getting out of the NCAA game in the era of NIL money and the transfer portal.

?That?s a hurdle I?ve got to step to if it comes that way,? Cassell said. ?I haven?t thought about it yet. But, yeah, it?s totally different now than what it was 10 years ago. If I choose to pursue that, then that?s what I?ve got to get used to and get ready for.?

After playing for eight NBA teams and coaching with four, adaptability is understandably among his assets.

[Roy H.]

I wish him the best.  It would suck, though.  Would he have to leave before the season was over, like Damon Stoudamire?

[BitterJim]

If he stays with us (and we don't suddenly turn into a dumpster fire), I expect him to get an NBA head coaching gig in the next few years. I can't imagine him jumping to college just because it's sooner than getting and NBA HC job.

It's like all the rumors there were around Brad and a college HC job (was it Indiana?): all smoke from the college side to try and make the job seem more desirable, rather than actual mutual interest

[Vermont Green]

I wish him the best.  It would suck, though.  Would he have to leave before the season was over, like Damon Stoudamire?

It doesn't seem so.  It said that the current coach, Leonard Hamilton, is stepping down at the end of the season, and they haven't even started talking to anyone yet.  This was announced "last week" per the article.  I am not worried about this, at least so far.  Seems like all speculation at this point.

[Donoghus]

I wish him the best.  It would suck, though.  Would he have to leave before the season was over, like Damon Stoudamire?

It doesn't seem so.  It said that the current coach, Leonard Hamilton, is stepping down at the end of the season, and they haven't even started talking to anyone yet.  This was announced "last week" per the article.  I am not worried about this, at least so far.  Seems like all speculation at this point.

Florida State's schedule will, presumably, end in mid-March at the conclusion of the ACC tournament.  Celtics should be playing until mid-June.  That's two months into the NCAA offseason which is an eternity.  I can't imagine Florida State would be content letting Cassell wait until mid-June to start with their basketball program.  They'd want him to hit the ground running most likely right after the season ends and Hamilton is out. 

[Roy H.]

I wish him the best.  It would suck, though.  Would he have to leave before the season was over, like Damon Stoudamire?

It doesn't seem so.  It said that the current coach, Leonard Hamilton, is stepping down at the end of the season, and they haven't even started talking to anyone yet.  This was announced "last week" per the article.  I am not worried about this, at least so far.  Seems like all speculation at this point.

Florida State's schedule will, presumably, end in mid-March at the conclusion of the ACC tournament.  Celtics should be playing until mid-June.  That's two months into the NCAA offseason which is an eternity.  I can't imagine Florida State would be content letting Cassell wait until mid-June to start with their basketball program.  They'd want him to hit the ground running most likely right after the season ends and Hamilton is out.

That was my thought as well.  Unless he departed before the end of the NBA season, his first year at FSU would be largely useless.

[Big333223]

If he stays with us (and we don't suddenly turn into a dumpster fire), I expect him to get an NBA head coaching gig in the next few years. I can't imagine him jumping to college just because it's sooner than getting and NBA HC job.

It's like all the rumors there were around Brad and a college HC job (was it Indiana?): all smoke from the college side to try and make the job seem more desirable, rather than actual mutual interest

I'm a little surprised he hasn't been made a head coach already.

[aefgogreen]

If he truly wants an NBA head coaching gig, I'm not sure FSU is the way to go.  College head coaching jobs are not as sweet as they used to be with NIL and the transfer portal (and I'm all for players having more power). If a team isn't already on top, I think it's hard to improve.  Having said that, he's got a great mind and if he is able to recruit and make something of the Seminoles, he'd be a pretty hot prospect.