Former Blazers Assistant to Interview For Charlotte Hornets Coaching Job

FormerPortland Trail BlazersAssistant Coach David Vanterpool has been given permission from theBrooklyn Netsto interview for the vacantCharlotte Hornetshead coaching job, reports ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski.

Vanterpool appears to be competing with Milwaukee Bucks Assistant Coach Charles Lee and veteran Head Coach Mike D’Antoni.

He served with the Blazers between 2012 and 2019 under then-head coach Terry Stotts and was saidto be a particular favoriteof stars Damian Lillard and CJ McCollum as well as a helpful influence on Portland’s defensive schemes.

Vanterpool left Portland in 2019 to take an Associate Head Coach position with theMinnesota Timberwolvesunder Ryan Saunders.

Saunders was fired midway through the 2020-21 season and Vanterpool was not interviewed as the ‘Wolves went withToronto Raptorsassistant Chris Finch instead.

The 49-year-old signed with the Nets at the beginning of the 2021-22 season to support Head Coach Steve Nash. He’s ridden the coaching carousel for multiple seasons. Both he and D’Antoni were mentioned as possible candidates for the Trail Blazers’ head coaching position last summer. The Blazers ultimately chose Chauncey Billups to fill the position.