With the sudden departure of Rick Carlisle last week, the Dallas Mavericks, straddling the line between stability and dysfunction, are currently one of several teams searching for a new head coach.
Who ranks atop the Mavericks' list of candidates? This question doesn't have an answer just yet. But the vacancy has grabbed the attention of former franchise champion and current Arizona assistant coach Jason Terry.
"I can definitely see myself leading a college basketball program. Don't rule out me being on a bench here in the NBA," Terry told The Zach Gelb Show on Monday. "I also aspire to give my 19 years of experience and knowledge to these young guys and mentor these young guys and kind of show them the way. So, we'll see what the cards hold. But I'm enjoying my time at Arizona, under new leadership under Tommy Lloyd and back at my alma mater, so I'm having fun doing what I do...
"One-hundred percent [I could be the Mavs' coach right now]. Definitely on my bucket list and goals of dreams to come true. When you put the X's and O's aside, it's about managing people. Are you a people person. Can you get guys to buy in to your system and fight for one cause in the betterment of the team. And for me, that's kind of what I did my whole career. Selfless guy, sacrifice for the betterment of the team. Always brought guys together... I would love the opportunity [to coach in the NBA]."
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Terry, who won a title with the Mavericks back in 2011, played 19 seasons in the NBA, and was named Sixth Man of the Year during the 2008-09 season. Following his retirement in 2018, the 43-year-old became the assistant general manager of the NBA G League's Texas Generals, and in May 2020, he joined Arizona's coaching staff.
Last Friday, the Mavericks announced that legend Dirk Nowitzki rejoined the franchise as a special advisor who will assist in the hiring process of a new general manager and head coach.
Since winning the 2011 Finals, Dallas has made the Western Conference playoffs six times, and failed to make it past the opening round once.
The entire NBA conversation between Terry and Gelb can be accessed in the audio player above.
You can follow The Zach Gelb Show on Twitter @ZachGelb and Tom Hanslin @TomHanslin.
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