Beilein and the Cavaliers have hired Cal women’s head coach Lindsay Gottlieb as an assistant coach the team announced Wednesday.
“After meeting with Koby Altman, Coach Beilein and Coach Bickerstaff, I knew this was an organization I wanted to be a part of and a team I wanted to dedicate myself to,” Gottlieb said in a statement released by the team. “While this move provided a unique and special chance to move directly from Cal Berkeley and women’s college basketball to the NBA, it was really about being part of building and growing something special and adding value to a team and organization that is focused on doing things in a way that I believe strongly in.”
Gottlieb, who has coached seven WNBA players and amassed a record of 179-78 at Cal, is the first woman to join an NBA staff from the college women’s head coaching ranks.
“The vision for the Cavs’ future is compelling and I look forward to helping make it a reality,” Gottlieb said. “At the same time, on a personal level, I am honored to hopefully impact young girls and women to be empowered to pursue their own visions and to be inspired to turn them into reality as well.”
She becomes the league’s fifth female assistant coach joining Becky Hammon (Spurs), Kristi Toliver (Wizards), Jenny Boucek (Mavericks), Karen Stack-Umlauf (Bulls) and the eighth woman with a prominent role within an NBA organization. Natalie Nakase (Clippers) and Lindsey Harding (76ers) work in player development and Swin Cash was hired by former Cavs GM and current Pelicans executive vice president of basketball operations David Griffin as the team's vice president of basketball operations and team development this week.
Beilein previously named J.B. Bickerstaff as his top assistant shortly after being hired last month.
“I am excited to have a coach with Lindsay’s experience as a part of the new coaching staff with the Cavaliers,” Beilein said. “Lindsay truly values and embraces player development and a culture of winning basketball habits. Her success at Cal Berkeley speaks for itself and her insight in our meetings, practices and games will hold tremendous value. After sitting with her, it was easy to see how she will connect quickly with our staff and our players, and we all benefit because of that connection. I’m looking forward to merging all of her years of experience and vision for the game with our current and future coaching staff.”
In eight seasons leading the Golden Bears, Gottlieb led Cal to seven NCAA Tournaments and the program’s first Final Four appearance in 2013.
Gottlieb, who has won Pac-12 and Big West coach of the Year honors, brings to Cleveland 11 years of Division I head coaching experience. Prior to taking over at Cal she spent four years as the head coach of UC Santa Barbara where she led the Gauchos to a pair of Big West titles.
“Lindsay Gottlieb will be a great addition to Coach Beilein’s and Coach Bickerstaff’s group. She has an extensive track record of success and growth with her teams and players and has also been a strong culture-driver as a core part of that,” Cavs general manager Koby Altman said. “The more we researched and got to know Lindsay, the more we came to understand that she would be an impactful part of where we want to go as a team. Coach Gottlieb brings a depth of basketball knowledge, leadership, perspective and approach to her craft that will fit very well with our team and staff alike. We’re fortunate that she was willing to leave her role as Head Coach at such a solid and successful program at Cal.”