In a statement released by the Cavs, Beilein thanked Michigan for his 12 years with the school and said his new job is "the perfect fit." He takes over a rebuilding Cavs team that tied for the second fewest wins in the NBA this season.
"I felt very strongly about this new and exciting opportunity with the Cavaliers. ... I love the position the team is in to build and grow and this was something I felt was the perfect fit for me. With hard work and dedication by all of us, we will grow this team day by day and reinforce a culture of success that sustains itself with strong core values.
"Cleveland is a great city with amazing fans and I am really looking forward to calling Cleveland home for years to come.”
Cavs owner Dan Gilbert said the team "could not be more thrilled" with the hire. In his tenure at Michigan, Beilein reached two national championships and put the program back on the map, all while being hailed as one of the cleanest coaches in a notoriously corrupt business.
“First, John is a great human being," said Gilbert. "He cares deeply about his players and others who work for him and around him. He defines the words class, integrity and character. He is a tireless worker who obsesses about finding better ways and the inches that will help his team and the organization grow. John is a brilliant basketball mind and last but not least, John Beilein is a winner."
The Cavs reportedly first interviewed Beilein early last week, and talks picked up over the weekend. General manager Koby Altman said Beilein was the clear hire among a long list of candidates.
"John is one of the most accomplished and innovative basketball minds and leaders in the entire game," said Altman. "He has a unique ability to create an outstanding culture that will promote the development of young players and provide a solid structure to the entire program; not to mention the fact that John Beilein wins everywhere he goes."
Beilein is the only active college coach to have achieved 20-win seasons at four different levels — junior college, NCAA Division III, NCAA Division II, and NCAA Division I. He's also only one of six active Division I coaches with 700 or more career wins. He won 278 games at Michigan, including 63 the past two seasons.
The 66-year-old Beilein has expressed interest in the NBA in the past, including last season when he interviewed for the Pistons head coaching job. A year later, he decided to make the jump.
"I want to thank the University of Michigan for what has been a truly special home and remarkable place for my family and I for the last 12 years," Beilein said. "We have achieved great success together and we could not have done it without the incredible support of our administration, coaches, players, staff, students, fans and the entire university community. We shared some of the best moments of my life together and I will always be grateful for that."