The long-term contract coach John Beilein signed with the Cavaliers last May didn’t seem befitting of an experiment.
But that’s what it turned out to be, as Beilein stepped down Wednesday, just 54 games into his first season.
Beilein had a four-year contract with a fifth-year option that paid him $4 to $4.5 million annually, according to The Athletic. The Cavs said he will be reassigned to a different role within the organization, but his duties were unspecified at this point.
“Over these last nine months, I have given my all to this organization, but after much reflection, I have decided that it is best that I step back and resign from my position as head coach of the Cleveland Cavaliers and assist the organization in a different capacity,” Beilein said in a statement released by the Cavaliers. “I am very grateful to Dan Gilbert, Koby Altman and the entire Cavaliers organization for the opportunity they have provided me.
“This was a very difficult decision for me, but I want to be clear _ this was my decision to step down and I truly appreciate the understanding and support of the front office during this time. I find losing very challenging and this year has taken a much bigger toll on me than I expected. I grew concerned for the consequences this toll could potentially take on my own health and my family’s well-being down the road. I was not certain I could be at my best for the remainder of the season and in the future. That would not be fair to the players, coaches and support staff.”
Reports surfaced late Sunday night during the NBA All-Star Game that Beilein had discussed his future with the Cavs front office. The Cavs are 14-40, the second-worst record in the league and the worst mark in the Eastern Conference.
“John Beilein is one of the more accomplished basketball coaches in the history of our game and while it’s unexpected, we understand and respect his decision to step down as head coach of the Cavaliers,” Altman said in the release. “I was excited about the development of our young players, who have all shown growth and maturity under Coach Beilein. We are thankful for the time he spent as head coach with the Cavaliers and are looking forward to his continued contribution.
“The NBA is a unique business that sometimes requires aggressive risk-taking on important long-term decisions to move a franchise forward and ultimately compete for championships. … Building a strong culture will continue to be the top priority here at the Cavaliers.”
Associate head coach J.B. Bickerstaff will take over as coach without an interim tag. Bickerstaff, 40, has previously coached the Memphis Grizzlies and Houston Rockets, compiling an 85-131 career record.
His first game in charge will be Friday at Washington.
Beilein, 67, jumped to the league after 41 years in the college ranks, the previous 12 at Michigan, but failed to connect with his players. They tired of his penchant for long film sessions and his emphasis on fundamentals. He became increasingly demoralized as the season wore on, with a 12-game home losing streak snapped in his final game Feb. 12 against the Atlanta Hawks.
It was a stunning end for what felt like an energetic start for the franchise just nine months ago.
During the hiring process, Cavs owner Gilbert and general manager Altman met with Beilein and his wife, Kathleen, in the Beileins’ home in Ann Arbor, Mich., and the Cavs touted how special that experience was during Beilein’s introductory press conference.
That day Beilein, never fired in his coaching career, did not seem concerned about Gilbert’s history, which includes hiring and firing Mike Brown twice, dumping coach David Blatt with a 30-11 record in the 2015-16 title season and letting go championship coach Tyronn Lue after an 0-6 start in 2018-19.
Bickerstaff is the Cavs’ sixth coach in the past seven seasons.
There were ties for Beilein in Cleveland, including Cavs assistant general manager Mike Gansey, who played for Beilein at West Virginia and reached the Elite Eight in 2005. Gansey moved in with the Beileins after he graduated as Gansey recuperated from a life-threatening staph infection.
“If you talk to him for 15 minutes, you’re going to love this guy,” Gansey said in May during the NBA combine in Chicago. “He’s just so different. That’s why you’d run through a wall for him. He’s an unbelievable communicator, teacher, player development is through the roof. He’s taken so many kids like myself … I was an OK player in high school, an OK player at St. Bonaventure. Where I ended up at West Virginia, he took me to heights I didn’t think I could get to as a player.”
That never happened with the Cavs, as Beilein failed to reach players. Three unnamed Cavs questioned his college methods and said the team was tuning him out in a December report by The Athletic. The situation deteriorated from there, capped by him referring to his players as “thugs” instead of “slugs” in a Jan. 8 film session at a Detroit hotel.
Beilein had never lost more than 22 games in a season, that during his first year at Michigan in 2007-08, when the Wolverines won only 10. The Cavs suffered their 22nd loss on Dec. 27 at Boston and 3{ months remained.
His son Patrick also stepped down for personal reasons in October before he coached a game at Niagara University, and reports said that weighed on Beilein.
When he was hired, Beilein became the fifth coach since 2010 to jump from college to the pros, according to The Ringer, joining Brad Stevens, Fred Hoiberg, Billy Donovan, and Mike Dunlap (who had a prior stint with the Denver Nuggets). Of those five, only two remain, Stevens with the Boston Celtics and Donovan with the Oklahoma City Thunder. Hoiberg is now at Nebraska and Dunlap at Loyola Marymount.
