Report: Pelicans receive permission to interview Warriors' Alvin Gentry

The New Orleans Pelicans have received permission to interview Golden State Warriors' associate head coach Alvin Gentry for their head coaching vacany, according to a report from ESPN.

The New Orleans Pelicans have received permission to interview Golden State Warriors' associate head coach Alvin Gentry for their head coaching vacany, according to a report from ESPN. 

Gentry and Chicago Bulls coach Tom Thibodeau are the leading candidates for the vacancy, according to the report.

The Pelicans, who finished the regular season 45–37, made the 2014-15 playoffs at the eighth seed out of the Western Conference and faced the Warriors in the first round, losing the series four games to none. 

The team fired head coach Monty Williams on May 12 despite having improved its record over each of the past three seasons and making the playoffs for the first time since the 2010-11 season.

Pelicans owner Tom Benson sent a note to Williams congratulating him on "a job well done" at the end of the regular season. 

• GOLLIVER: With Williams' firing, Pelicans open next chapter for Anthony Davis

Gentry was the head coach of the Phoenix Suns from 2009 to 2013. He amassed a 140–131 record over three and a half seasons. 

Gentry played college basketball for Appalachian State University from 1973 to 1977 for Pete Maravich's father. He has been an assistant or associate head coach at three collegiate programs and seven NBA programs.