HoopsHype.com Rumors

When Popovich hired Vaughn two summers ago, he drew comparisons to Avery Johnson, another ex-Spurs point guard who went on to an NBA head-coaching job. “Jacque Vaughn is a star,” Popovich said then. “You can see the same qualities in him that you saw in Avery.” Vaughn becomes the second Spurs assistant to leave this offseason. Don Newman, a longtime Popovich aide, was hired as Randy Wittman’s lead assistant in Washington. San Antonio Express-News

San Antonio Spurs, Coaching, Gregg Popovich, Don Newman 

Mike Monroe: #Spurs asst. coach Don Newman leaving to become Randy Wittman's No. 1 asst. on Wiz staff, per source Twitter

San Antonio Spurs, Washington Wizards, Coaching, Randy Wittman, Don Newman 

David Aldridge: Didn't get a chance to note earlier: good hire by the Wiz bringing Don Newman in from SA as an assistant. Strong defensive mind. Twitter

Washington Wizards, Coaching, Don Newman 

Adrian Wojnarowski: San Antonio assistant Don Newman has passed on defensive coordinator spot with Suns coaching staff and will stay with Spurs, source tells Y! Twitter

San Antonio Spurs, Coaching, Don Newman 

Suns coach Alvin Gentry interviewed ex-Houston assistant Elston Turner in Phoenix on Tuesday about a defensive-assistant job. Other candidates include San Antonio assistant Don Newman, Chicago scout Pete Myers and Milwaukee assistant Jim Boylan. Arizona Republic

Phoenix Suns, Coaching, Pete Myers, Jim Boylan, Elston Turner, Don Newman 

Spurs assistant coach Don Newman has interviewed with the Phoenix Suns about an added assistant coaching position on Coach Alvin Gentry’s staff. The Arizona Republic reported that Newman talked with Gentry in a job that the Phoenix coach hopes will improve his team’s leaky defense. Gentry also has talked with former Chicago assistant and current scout Pete Myers and Houston assistant Elston Turner, who was a finalist for the Suns’ head-coaching job in 2008. The Republic also said that Gentry may meet with Lakers assistant Jim Cleamons and other coaches who have been involved in the conference finals, such as Dallas’ Dwane Casey, Oklahoma City’s Maurice Cheeks and Miami’s Bob McAdoo. San Antonio Express-News

Phoenix Suns, San Antonio Spurs, Coaching, Don Newman