Mavericks finally give Jason Kidd the tool he needed to help Dallas break through

The Dallas Mavericks' 2025-2026 coaching staff was officially announced today, and it's loaded with experience that fans should be ecstatic about.

After losing longtime assistants Sean Sweeney, Alex Jensen, Jared Dudley, and God Shammgod earlier this summer, there were understandable concerns about whether Dallas could rebuild its bench around Jason Kidd. Instead of settling for safe replacements, the Mavericks pulled off something bigger. They may have upgraded.

The new staff combines championship experience, player development, and proven leadership that rivals any bench in the NBA. With names like Frank Vogel, Phil Handy, and Mike Penberthy now behind Kidd, Dallas has put its head coach in the best position of his tenure to succeed.

The Mavericks’ bench is overflowing with championship experience

Vogel, who won a championship in 2020 with the Lakers, takes over as the lead assistant. The dynamic between him and Kidd is fascinating. Five years ago, Kidd worked under Vogel in Los Angeles.

Now the roles are reversed.

This gives Dallas a proven defensive strategist who can also challenge Kidd’s ideas in real time.

Phil Handy, known as one of the league’s top development coaches, brings three championship rings from his time in Cleveland, Toronto, and Los Angeles. He already has strong connections with players like Kyrie Irving, who welcomed Handy’s arrival warmly. Handy’s ability to improve young talent, such as Cooper Flagg, could prove invaluable.

Then there’s Mike Penberthy, who could've been hired to help improve the Mavericks’ shooting. Penberthy worked closely with LeBron James and Anthony Davis in Los Angeles. His reputation as a careful shooting coach could take Dallas’ role players to another level.

But the strength of this staff goes beyond the headline hires.

Jay Triano brings decades of coaching experience, including head coaching stops, while Popeye Jones returns to provide continuity and energy as a familiar locker room presence. Eric Hughes and Keith Veney add specialized skills in analytics, player development, and shooting mechanics, giving Kidd every tool he needs for both strategy and individual improvement.

This mix of voices creates balance.

Kidd has surrounded himself with trusted allies but also with assistants confident enough to challenge him. That’s a major change from his earlier years in Dallas, when criticism pointed to a lack of in-game adjustments and rigid decision-making. With Vogel and Handy by his side, Kidd has more tools than ever to keep Dallas prepared in high-stress playoff situations.

Dallas could have taken a step back after losing key assistants this summer. Instead, they doubled down and built a staff that might actually be stronger than last year’s NBA Finals-caliber bench. Jason Kidd now has the perfect situation: a loaded roster, a balanced coaching team, and the chance to prove he can lead the Mavericks to their full potential this season.