The Oklahoma City Thunder have fired head coach Scott Brooks after OKC missed the playoffs, a move that has been brewing for some time now. Now that the Thunder need to find a replacement for Brooks, who would be their top targets to replace him?
Kevin Ollie, UConn head basketball coach
Ollie has already been linked to the Thunder job, and he's the unquestioned leader to land it. He's already guided UConn to a national championship in just three seasons on the job, and he played for Oklahoma City from 2009-2010. Ollie is someone that Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook trust, and he'll have no trouble adapting to the NBA because of the 13 years he spent as a player in the league.
Mark Jackson, former Golden State Warriors head coach
Jackson spent this season as a broadcaster after serving as head coach of the Warriors from 2011-2014, guiding them from 23 wins to 51 wins in just three seasons. He was fired due to clashes between him and front office, but there's no doubt about his success on the sidelines.
John Calipari, Kentucky head basketball coach
There are rumors that Calipari wants to move to the NBA for the right job, and Oklahoma City certainly has the star power to lure him away from Kentucky. Calipari's personality seems suited for a bigger market, but the opportunity to coach Kevin Durant, Russell Westbrook, and Serge Ibaka might be too tempting to pass up.
Vinny Del Negro, former NBA head coach
Del Negro has also been out of coaching since the 2012-13 season, when he was leading the Los Angeles Clippers. He coached the Chicago Bulls from 2008-10 and the Clippers from 2010-13, and only missed the postseason once during his coaching career. Del Negro helped to turn Los Angeles into a playoff team, and has the kind of extended playoff experience the Thunder would be looking for.
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