Brooklyn Nets assistant coach Steve Hetzel is used to being targeted by teams looking for someone to be the head coach given his extensive background as an assistant for various teams during his career. Hetzel came to Brooklyn two years ago to be part of head coach Jordi Fernandez’s coaching staff and while the Nets are trying to rebuild, Hetzel is still getting calls from other teams.
NBA insider Marc Stein reported on Saturday that the Dallas Mavericks have interviewed various candidates for their vacant head-coach position, including Hetzel. Per Stein, the Mavericks have also interviewed people like former Nets assistant Royal Ivey as they look to replace Jason Kidd after the two sides agreed to a mutual parting of ways following a disappointing 2025-26 campaign.
As was alluded to earlier, Hetzel has been interviewed for head-coaching jobs in the past as he was interviewed for the Phoenix Suns’ head-coaching job last year before they went with Jordan Ott. More to the point, Hetzel has interviewed with the New Orleans Pelicans and Portland Trail Blazers for their head-coaching jobs this summer, adding to the list of teams interested in his services.
Hetzel has been working in the NBA since the 2005-2006 season when he was an assistant video coordinator for the San Antonio Spurs under legendary head coach Gregg Popovich. Since 2009, Hetzel has found himself in various coaching positions, including being the head coach of the then-D League’s Canton Charge, before spending a few seasons as an assistant coach for the Charlotte Hornets, Orlando Magic, and Portland Trail Blazers.
Hetzel, along with the rest of Brooklyn’s coaching staff, signed contract extensions so it seems like general manager Sean Marks and the rest of the front office believes in what the unit is trying to accomplish. Along the way, it seems that Hetzel will continue gaining steam within the coaching circuit and it looks like it will only be a matter of time before he is leading an NBA team someday.
This article originally appeared on Nets Wire: Nets’ Steve Hetzel interviews for Mavericks’ head-coaching job
Reporting by Sharif Phillips-Keaton, Nets Wire / Nets Wire
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
By Sharif Phillips-Keaton, Nets Wire | USA TODAY Network
