97.1 The Ticket -- It's apparently official now.
Wojnarowski broke the news during Sunday night's All-Star Game that
Beilein and the Cavs were speaking about his future with the team and he was expected to step down.
Story filed to ESPN: After a brief and tumultuous tenure, John Beilein is leaving as Cleveland's coach. Associate HC JB Bickerstaff will be elevated to head coach. Beilein's expected to say goodbye to staff and players on Wednesday upon team's return from All-Star Break.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn)
February 19, 2020 Beilein left Michigan last May and signed a five-year deal with the Cavs, but adjusting from the college ranks to an entirely different game in the NBA has been difficult for the veteran coach.
The Cavaliers are off to a 14-40 start -- worst in the Eastern Conference and second worst in the entire league -- and have endured a lot of bumps in the road throughout the season. Beilein reportedly called his team "
a bunch of thugs" during a film session last month
Beilein spent 12 seasons in Ann Arbor, taking the Wolverines to nine NCAA Tournaments and two national championship games. He compiled a 278-150 record with Michigan before his abrupt departure last spring.
It is not clear what Beilein's next step will be, whether he returns to the college ranks or decides to retire.
The Cavaliers will promote associate head coach JB Bickerstaff to become the full-time head coach, according to Wojnarowski. Beilein is expected to address the team and say goodbye Wednesday afternoon before the team holds its first practice under Bickerstaff later that evening.
