Dallas Mavericks assistant Sean Sweeney to interview for Hornets head coach gig

The Dallas Mavericks hired Hall of Fame point guard Jason Kidd to be their head coach in the summer of 2021 to replace Rick Carlisle. Carlisle led the Mavs to their lone championship in franchise history in 2011 and is a legendary coach. Replacing him would be no easy task, and plenty of fans were skeptical after Kidd failed to meet expectations in his previous two head coaching stops.

The Mavericks made massive defensive improvements as they vaulted to seventh in defensive rating during the regular season. Kidd gets most of the credit, but his longtime assistant Sean Sweeney is the team’s defensive coordinator. Dallas limits both 3-point attempts and shots at the rim as the Mavs have fully bought into the scheme.

Sweeney became an NBA assistant coach in 2013, and he has been with Jason Kidd in all of his head coaching stops. The current Mavs defensive coordinator also spent three seasons as an assistant with the Detroit Pistons under Dwane Casey. Sweeney’s contributions have not gone unnoticed as he is one of the candidates interviewing for the Hornets head coaching gig, according to Adrian Wojnarowski. Why that should be no surprise to MFFLs.

Dallas Mavericks assistant Sean Sweeney to interview to be Hornets head coach

The Hornets are reportedly seeking a candidate with head coaching experience after firing James Borrego following a second straight play-in tournament loss. Sweeney does not fit that bill, but he has nine years of experience as an NBA assistant.

Jason Kidd made it clear that Sweeney was a must (subscription required) when he was hired as Mavericks head coach, and in the piece by Aldridge, it is let out that Sweeney’s nickname is “Little Thibodeau” after current Knicks head coach Tom Thibodeau. He has been a key piece of the Mavericks' improvement this season, and they will be sad to see him go if he is chosen to be the Hornets' head coach.

Sean Sweeney was one of four names that Adrian Wojnarowski noted were interviewing with the Hornets, including former head coaches Mike D’Antoni and Kenny Atkinson. Will Sweeney get the gig? He is certainly deserving after the impact he had on the Dallas Mavericks this season.