:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/55345519/usa_today_9770512.0.jpg)
The Atlanta Hawks have lost high-profile assistant coaches to head coaching jobs in the recent past. First, it was Quin Snyder leaving to take over the Utah Jazz. Then, Kenny Atkinson landed in Brooklyn as the head coach of the Nets.
Now, a report from David Pick indicates that Neven Spahija is set to leave Atlanta’s bench to assume the head coaching position for Maccabi Tel Aviv.
Source: Mike Budenholzer has granted Neven Spahija his blessing to leave the Hawks and sign as head coach of Maccabi Tel Aviv till 2020.
— David Pick (@IAmDPick) June 20, 2017
No formal announcement has been made at the time of this post.
Spahija joined the Hawks staff prior to the 2014-2015 season and, prior to that, he waas the head coach of Cibona Zagreb in Croatia. In addition, the veteran coach also served as the head coach of multiple clubs across the Euroleague and Spahija was once the head coach of the Croation National Team.
At this time, it is unclear what the Hawks would do in order to fill Spahija’s shoes in the event that he leaves. Darvin Ham, Taylor Jenkins, Charles Lee and Ben Sullivan rounded out the assistant coaching staff for the 2016-2017 season.
Stay tuned.