Report: Kevin Ollie under consideration to replace Thunder coach Scott Brooks
UConn head coach Kevin Ollie is being considered as an option to replace Scott Brooks at the helm of the Oklahoma City Thunder, according to a report from Adam Zagoria of SNY.
One issue: Brooks, as of Monday, is still coaching the Thunder.
Yahoo Sports' Adrian Wojnarowski reported last week that Brooks would be re-evaluated by Thunder management before being brought back next season, and the team holds an option on the current coach for the season after next.
Ollie led the Huskies to the NCAA championship in just his second season in Storrs, Conn., after replacing 26-year incumbent Jim Calhoun. Ollie also finished his NBA playing career with the Thunder in 2009-10, and is believed to be close to Kevin Durant.
Zagoria reports that Ollie remains close with Thunder GM Sam Presti, and that Presti has visited UConn several times recently. The oft-criticized Brooks missed the playoffs for just the second time in his seven-year tenure as an NBA coach this season, all with Oklahoma City.
The Thunder went 45-37, but finished ninth in the uber-competitive West thanks in part to losing Durant for the season. Durant, for the record, has backed Brooks.
Ollie signed a five-year contract extension with Connecticut worth $15 million after winning the 2014 national championship amid rumors of an NBA job being open for him.