By TOM WITHERS AP Sports Writer
CLEVELAND (AP) — The Cavaliers ended a monthlong search Monday by hiring John Beilein, a 66-year-old offensive mastermind who made Michigan a perennial powerhouse and now takes over a rebuilding project in Cleveland.
The winningest coach in @umichbball history, @JohnBeilein has a track record of victories everywhere he goes.
10 FACTS: https://t.co/Bta3auVXva pic.twitter.com/QQ1uNOWAG2
— Cleveland Cavaliers (@cavs) May 13, 2019
Beilein got a five-year deal with the Cavs, who believe he can make the successful leap from campus.
Beilein’s signing is somewhat surprising given his age, lack of pro experience and because the Cavs, who have had six previous coaches since 2009, had been speaking almost exclusively with younger NBA assistants during their interview process.
From Nazareth College to LeMoyne to Canisius, Richmond, West Virginia and finally to Michigan, Beilein has built a strong reputation for developing young players and teams. He’s one of only four coaches to take four schools to the NCAA Tournament, and he leaves Michigan with the most wins in school history.
Beilein knows he has to work to do in Cleveland. The Cavs are coming off a stormy 19-63 season that followed LeBron James’ departure for Los Angeles as a free agent last summer. Just six games in, the team fired Tyronn Lue, the only Cleveland coach or manager to win a major sports championship since 1964.
Cleveland’s roster will get a major upgrade in next month’s draft, and if the pingpong balls bounce their way again in the lottery, the Cavs could wind up with Duke All-American Zion Williamson, who electrified college hoops as a freshman.