Report: Ex-UConn coach Ollie among 3 finalists for Pistons' vacancy
Former UConn and Overtime Elite coach Kevin Ollie headlines the three finalists for the Detroit Pistons' head coaching vacancy, sources told The Athletic's Shams Charania.
New Orleans Pelicans assistant Jarron Collins and Milwaukee Bucks associate head coach Charles Lee round out the shortlist, and each will meet with the Pistons and owner Tom Gores this week, adds Charania.
Ollie spent three years as an assistant under Hall of Fame coach Jim Calhoun before taking the reins at UConn in 2012. He guided his alma mater to a national championship in just his second season in charge.
He went 127-79 during his six-year tenure, which included an AAC Tournament crown. During his playing days, the longtime NBAer was heralded for his mentorship of younger players, including LeBron James and Kevin Durant.
Ollie spent the past two years as head of coaching and basketball development at Overtime Elite before stepping down from his position last March.
Collins, meanwhile, has been part of Willie Green's staff in New Orleans since 2021. He previously had a seven-year stint with the Golden State Warriors working under Steve Kerr. The former second-round pick played 10 years in the Association with four clubs.
Lee had a brief playing career overseas before transitioning into coaching. The 38-year-old was an assistant at Bucknell for a pair of seasons before joining Mike Budenolzer's Atlanta Hawks staff in 2014. He has worked under the two-time NBA Coach of the Year for nearly a decade.
Lee has been in the running for multiple vacancies over the years and reportedly interviewed for the Toronto Raptors' head coaching gig last week.