The Indiana Pacers made a surprising decision to fire head coach Nate McMillan just weeks after announcing a one-year contract extension with him. Being swept in the first round by the Miami Heat made the move happen now. It appears that Mark Jackson could be a name to keep a close eye on as the Pacers search for McMillan’s replacement.
According to Brandon “Scoop B” Robinson of Heavy, Jackson is a potential candidate for the Pacers.
Jackson would be a huge addition for the Pacers and has ties to the organization. He played for Indiana back in the day and was an excellent point guard. His coaching experience is also well-known.
Before Steve Kerr took over as the Golden State Warriors’ head coach, Jackson helped put that dynasty together. Stephen Curry has stood steadfast in his belief that Jackson doesn’t receive enough credit for what the Warriors became.
Hiring Jackson could be a perfect move for the Pacers. Many fans have been clamoring for Jackson to become the head coach in Indiana. Even back when Frank Vogel was let go, Jackson’s name came up early and often among fans.
During his time as head coach of the Warriors, Jackson compiled a 121-109 record. He led Golden State two the playoffs in two out of his three seasons.
Kevin Pritchard knows that he cannot afford to mess this hire up. Victor Oladipo is set to hit free agency next offseason and the Pacers need a coach who can help take the team to the next level. Indiana has a ton of talent and Jackson might be the guy who can unlock it.
Expect to hear a lot more rumors coming out of Indiana about potential coaching candidates. Jackson’s name hasn’t been mentioned much throughout the process, but the Pacers could very well be considering him behind the scenes.
