After losing two jobs in one foul swoop, former Detroit Pistons coach, Stan Van Gundy says he feels lost and has no idea what his future holds.
After four years with the Pistons and only one playoff appearance, Van Gundy was unceremoniously relieved of his duties as team president and head coach. During a recent interview with Rex Walters on the “Real Talk Basketball” podcast, Van Gundy said, “I’m as lost as I’ve been. Every other time, I’ve known — or had a pretty good idea — that I was still going to try to coach.” Now, Van Gundy's not so sure and has no idea what to do with his free time.
Even though he's got one year remaining on his original five-year, $35 million deal he signed with the Pistons, Van Gundy doesn't like the feeling of sitting around. He's waiting in some cases, but actively pursuing opportunities in others. His hope is that someone calls about a coaching spot, but he's unsure of when the next opening might come.
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Van Gundy says his wife wants him to retire, but he wants to coach and that if he could get a job for next season, he'd take it. Unfortunately, there are no NBA teams actively seeking a coach and until that changes, he's got "people looking into some media things" and "teaching opportunities in college, sports management programs and things like that.”
Van Gundy was known for being outspoken. He didn't shy away from talking about virtually anything when behind the bench for Detroit and while he'd be an opinionated fit in a broadcasting position, he feels it's either best he coach or semi-retire. He suggested coaching is the only thing that could entice him to work hard enough to not take a break from the game.
Pistons owner Tom Gores fired Van Gundy in May and while Gores has credited Van Gundy for helping turn the fortunes of the lowly Pistons around, former Toronto Raptors coach and reigning NBA Coach of the Year, Dwane Casey is now the new bench boss in Detroit.
Meanwhile, Van Gundy has not been rumored to fill any coaching vacancies since his release.