Key 76ers Assistant Won’t Take College Head Coaching Job

Sam Cassell gained interest for an available head coaching position.

For a moment, one of Doc Rivers’ key assistants, Sam Cassell, was garnering interest from a local University. As the Temple Owls parted ways with their head coach Aaron McKie, the school reportedly looked into potentially snagging Cassell from the Sixers.

On Wednesday, HoopsHype’s Michael Scotto first reported that Cassell was drawing interest from Temple. However, he added that Cassell is “focused on helping the Sixers compete for a championship.”

Later that day, Keith Pompey of The Philadelphia Inquirer confirmed that Cassell is “staying put,” and will not be leaving the Sixers “at this time.”

Drawing interest from organizations with vacant head coaching positions is nothing new for the former player-turned-coach. Cassell has had the opportunity to interview for several head coaching jobs in the past. Unfortunately, his time to run his own team has not come yet.

While Temple could’ve granted Cassell that opportunity, he has unfinished business in the NBA with Doc Rivers and the Sixers. As Philadelphia gears up for its sixth-straight playoff run, the Sixers are searching for answers to get beyond the second round of the postseason.

In the event the Sixers reach the Eastern Conference Finals and possibly beyond, perhaps Cassell draws even more attention as a potential head coach on multiple levels. 

For now, he’ll remain one of Rivers’ top assistants while the Owls search elsewhere. 

Justin Grasso covers the Philadelphia 76ers for All76ers, a Sports Illustrated channel. You can follow him for live updates on Twitter: @JGrasso_.

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