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DALLAS, TX – JANUARY 25: Assistant coach, Mike Budenholzer talks with Tony Parker #9 of the San Antonio Spurs during play against the Dallas Mavericks American Airlines Center on January 25, 2013 in Dallas, Texas. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)
Mike Budenholzer has signed a multi-year deal with the Atlanta Hawks as their next head coach.
Budenholzer, 43, has been an assistant with the Spurs for the past 17 years, clocking in a total of 19 years with the organization under coach Gregg Popovich.
With respect to the long-time San Antonio Spurs assistant, Danny Ferry said: “He has an incredible basketball acumen and has a keen awareness of the league and what it takes to be successful. His experience and four championships over the last 17 years provide a tremendous foundation for his leadership of our team.”
The Spurs were gracious enough to let Budenholzer take up an interview with the Hawks during the playoffs . The Hawk are in a turmoil over this year’s roster, as they have just three players under contract for next season and could have in excess of $40 million in salary-cap space. Given the Hawks’s current situation, it was truly generous on theirpart to let Hawks negotiate a contract with him after they advanced to the NBA Finals with a victory over the Memphis Grizzlies. The Hawks believe that Budenholzer will be able to operate no matter which way the roster decisions go.
After winning the NBA titles in 1999, 2003, 2005 and 2007 with Spurs, Budenholzer is looking forward to his fifth NBA championship ring this year.
Budenholzer who began his time with the Spurs as the team’s video coordinator for two years before being named an assistant coach had this to say before he bowed out for good: “I have been extremely fortunate to be a part of the San Antonio Spurs organization for the last 19 years. I knew it would have to be a tremendous situation for me to leave and clearly coming to Atlanta as the head coach of the Hawks is perfect for me.”
