Detroit Pistons: 3 possible candidates for Monty Williams’ staff

Note: Since the writing of this, the Detroit Pistons have signed Stephen Silas to be their lead assistant coach.

The Pistons have made waves by signing head coach Monty Williams. But who should fill out his staff alongside him here in Detroit?

Detroit shocked the NBA by hiring Monty Williams, but the coaching news did not stop there. Williams will now have to fill out his staff to lead the young Pistons. Late last week, Detroit was connected to former Suns’ assistant Kevin Young. Young, however, just signed a new deal to stay in Phoenix and will become the league’s highest paid assistant head coach. With his probable top candidate off the board, Monty still must hire assistant coaches to join him in the Motor City. Let’s dive into who he could be targeting.

Detroit Pistons: 2 rumored candidates for Monty Williams’ staff

Jarrett Jack

Just as Kevin Young was, Jarrett Jack was on Monty Williams’ staff during his time at the helm in Phoenix. While both were being connected to the Detroit Pistons, Young was clearly made the priority for the Suns, possibly allowing for Detroit to sway Jack. Jarrett spent more than a dozen seasons in the league, most recently in 2017-2018 with the Knicks. During his years as a player, Jack played under Williams in New Orleans. It was this familiarity that led to him getting his NBA coaching start in Phoenix when Williams was hired.

Jack is reportedly ‘a priority’ for Monty to bring to Detroit according to Jake Fischer of Yahoo Sports.

His playing experience, leadership, and knowledge for the game can help the Detroit Pistons’ backcourt develop as they continue their young careers. I think Jarrett Jack is the most likely to be coaching next to Williams in Detroit next season.

Jerome Allen

When a new head coach is brought in, they normally are given full control of assistant hiring. Throughout this process, it’s not often the assistant coaches from the previous regime are retained. There are obvious exceptions, but it would be more surprising to keep the previous group together than not. With that being said, there is one assistant coach Monty may want to keep around.

Jerome Allen has been with Detroit since 2021, after having spent the previous six years as an assistant in Boston under Brad Stevens. Similar to Jack, Allen spent 14 seasons as a player in the NBA and overseas. During his time with the Celtics, Allen played a large role in the development of the young C’s, Jayson Tatum, Jaylen Brown, and Marcus Smart. Jerome obviously already has a relationship with the Detroit Pistons’ front office and the current rostered players from the last two seasons, and was even considered for the head coaching position himself. The familiarity between him and the organization could come in handy while both coaches and players are attempting to create new chemistry.

Despite some controversy at the college level involving accepting money to ensure enrollment for the briber’s son, Allen has been considered for multiple other head coaching positions, proving he is more than qualified to be an assistant for Monty.

Chris Quinn

If Jarrett Jack is not able to be swayed to follow Williams to Detroit, or Monty decides not to retain any of Dwane Casey’s staff, there’s another, slightly more impractical, option Detroit should take a look at. Assistant coach Chris Quinn with the Miami Heat has been instrumental to their recent run, specifically with late round and undrafted player development. Quinn would thrive here in Detroit.

After completing his playing career as a point guard, Chris Quinn has spent most of his coaching in a player development role. Quinn spent four years as Assistant Coach as well as Director of Player Development from 2016-2020. On one occasion, Quinn was forced to step in for Erik Spolestra as head coach in an emergency situation. Captain and longtime veteran Udonis Haslem said after the game, “When you listen to Quinny, you’re hearing Spo. It’s the same message.” Haslem added, “He has the knowledge, the experience, the relationship with the players. He has every base covered when you talk about checking the boxes to have the ability to be a successful head coach.” Garnering high praise from such a tenured player, while also being compared to one of the most successful head coaches in the NBA is quite promising.

The issues surrounding Chris Quinn are obvious. Quinn and the Miami Heat are still playing in the Finals, meaning Detroit would need to wait a little longer to interview him. Secondly, Quinn would be making a lateral move from a currently competing team, to an up-and-coming unit. It would more than likely require Gores to once again open the check book to move the needle. Probably a contract similar to what the Suns just offered to Kevin Young. It may be unlikely, but might be worth a shot to find out.