HoopsHype.com Rumors

Rick Bonnell: New #Bobcats coach Mike Dunlap just told me it's unlikely Tim Grgurich joins the staff. Too bad. Would have been a coup. Twitter

Charlotte Bobcats, Coaching, Tim Grgurich, Mike Dunlap 

Dunlap spent part of this past season filling in as St. John’s head coach when Steve Lavin underwent treatment for prostate cancer. Harkless said Dunlap handled the duty seamlessly. “He’s one of the best basketball minds I know,” Harkless said. “He really knows the game well, and he’s really smart and really intense.” Oregonian

Charlotte Bobcats, Coaching, Moe Harkless, Mike Dunlap 

Lang Greene: The Charlotte Bobcats will officially introduce new head coach Mike Dunlap this afternoon. Twitter

Charlotte Bobcats, Coaching, Mike Dunlap 

He may not be a name, but he does have a reputation, and that ultimately may be why Bobcats owner Michael Jordan picked him. Jordan is a North Carolina guy and so is Denver Nuggets coach George Karl, under whom Dunlap was an assistant coach for two seasons. Sources told the Daily News that Karl was a strong supporter of Dunlap’s candidacy. Another big endorsement, the sources said, came from former college coach George Raveling. Raveling is tight with Jordan through their Nike connections and had Dunlap as an assistant coach at both Iowa and Southern California. New York Daily News

Charlotte Bobcats, Denver Nuggets, George Karl, Michael Jordan, Coaching, Mike Dunlap 

“As far as basketball minds go, Mike Dunlap is superior, and a lot of people know this even if most of the general public does not,” one source said. “Anyone who has worked with him knows he fits into the category of a savant. He works hard, he prepares and he gets the most out of players.” New York Daily News

Charlotte Bobcats, Denver Nuggets, George Karl, Michael Jordan, Coaching, Mike Dunlap 

Tuesday, Karl scoffed at the idea that Dunlap might not be ready to be an NBA head coach. "If you know Mike, he has a head coach mentality," Karl said. "He was a head coach for 10 years or longer and went to be an assistant. I don't think it'll be hard for him to get back to being a head coach, because his strength is his belief in himself. He thinks the game as a head coach. And this guy has coached in championship games in Australia and in Division II. He has a head coach mind. "I'm glad someone recognized his brilliance. In a strange way, it's kind of a unique hire, but the karma says it can work. And that's really exciting for Mike. He'll do everything they want him to do. He'll take the bullets, he'll take the losses and I think he'll build a good foundation and culture. It reminds me a little of what they did here in Denver with Jeff Bzdelik (Karl's predecessor). They brought him in, they knew Denver Post

Charlotte Bobcats, Denver Nuggets, George Karl, Michael Jordan, Coaching, Mike Dunlap 

Jerry Zgoda: Chuck Barkley on new Bobcats coach Mike Dunlap: "If he won a championship at the (NCAA) Division II level, he's got the same roster." Twitter

Charlotte Bobcats, Coaching, Mike Dunlap 

Lavin said he was pleased that Dunlap will be advancing in his career. “The Johnnies basketball family is ecstatic for Coach Dunlap’s opportunity,” Lavin said in a statement released by St. John’s on Tuesday. “Mike’s selection as the Charlotte Bobcats’ head coach is a well-deserved honor. To make the unprecedented jump from college assistant to N.B.A. head coach is testament to both Mike’s abilities as a teacher and our basketball program’s marked improvement over the past 27 months.” New York Times

Charlotte Bobcats, Coaching, Mike Dunlap, Steve Lavin 

Chris Broussard: Well-respected, longtime NBA assistant Tim Grgurich may join Mike Dunlap's staff in Charlotte, sources say. Twitter

Charlotte Bobcats, Coaching, Mike Dunlap 

George Karl: Great hire by Bobcats! Mike Dunlap is one of the most creative defensive minds I've ever worked with. Welcome back to the NBA! Twitter

Charlotte Bobcats, Denver Nuggets, George Karl, Coaching, Mike Dunlap 

Moe Harkless: Dunlap would really put us on the line if we yawned in practice. At 545 am!!! Twitter

Charlotte Bobcats, Coaching, Moe Harkless, Mike Dunlap 

St. John’s assistant Mike Dunlap is the next Charlotte Bobcats coach, the Observer has learned. Dunlap, 54, is a former Denver Nuggets assistant who was acting head coach this season at St. John’s while Steve Lavin was recovering from prostate cancer surgery. Charlotte Observer

Charlotte Bobcats, Coaching, Mike Dunlap 

A source familiar with the process said Dunlap was offered the job Monday night, after interviewing in Charlotte with owner Michael Jordan, vice chairman Curtis Polk, president of basketball operations Rod Higgins and general manager Rich Cho. He has accepted. Charlotte Observer

Charlotte Bobcats, Michael Jordan, Coaching, Rich Cho, Rod Higgins, Mike Dunlap, Curtis Folk 

The Observer’s source, who asked for anonymity because Dunlap’s hire isn’t official, said Dunlap impressed the front office with his high energy and collaborative approach. Also, he wants to run an up-tempo offense and attacking defense that figures to fit some of the Bobcats’ younger personnel. Charlotte Observer

Charlotte Bobcats, Coaching, Mike Dunlap 

Marc J. Spears: Bobcats hire St. John's assistant coach Mike Dunlap, source said. Dunlap was respected asst coach for Nuggets. Charlotte Observe broke story Twitter

Charlotte Bobcats, Coaching, Mike Dunlap 

Sam Amick: Source confirms that St. John's assistant Mike Dunlap is the new Charlotte coach. Twitter

Charlotte Bobcats, Coaching, Mike Dunlap 

Adrian Wojnarowski: Dunlap's considered an excellent X's and O's coach on college level, well-respected in profession. Still, a huge gamble for Michael Jordan. Twitter

Charlotte Bobcats, Coaching, Mike Dunlap 

Adrian Wojnarowski: People I respect in NBA always believed Dunlap had chops to be a head coach. Just didn't think it would be a leap from Steve Lavin's bench. Twitter

Charlotte Bobcats, Coaching, Mike Dunlap 

Adrian Wojnarowski: Also, Michael Jordan doesn't want to pay for a basketball coach. And clearly that's part of hiring Mike Dunlap, a Big East assistant coach. Twitter

Charlotte Bobcats, Michael Jordan, Coaching, Owners, Mike Dunlap 

David Locke: George Karl on Mike Dunlap "He’s the most intelligent person that has a love for the game of basketball that I’ve ever been around." Twitter

Charlotte Bobcats, Denver Nuggets, George Karl, Coaching, Mike Dunlap