CLEVELAND — University of Michigan's John Beilein has agreed to a five-year deal to become the head coach of the Cleveland Cavaliers, according to a release from the Cavaliers on Monday.
"We conducted a deep and thorough search to find the best possible candidate for the next head coach of the Cleveland Cavaliers. We interviewed several strong and talented candidates who, no doubt, will get an opportunity to become an NBA head coach somewhere down the line,” said Cavaliers General Manager Koby Altman in a news release. "John is one of the most accomplished and innovative basketball minds and leaders in the entire game. He has a unique ability to create an outstanding culture that will promote the development of young players and provide a solid structure to the entire program; not to mention the fact that John Beilein wins everywhere he goes."
Cleveland Cavaliers Chairman Dan Gilbert provided more detailed about the search for a new coach.
"We could not be more thrilled to name John Beilein as the new coach of the Cleveland Cavaliers,” said Gilbert in a news release. “First, John is a great human being. He cares deeply about his players and others who work for him and around him. He defines the words class, integrity and character. He is a tireless worker who obsesses about finding better ways and the inches that will help his team and the organization grow. John is a brilliant basketball mind and last but not least, John Beilein is a winner. I also want to thank Koby and his hardworking staff for turning over every rock while relentlessly searching for our new head coach since the minute this past season ended. It is no surprise that Koby and his team landed on John Beilein as great cultures attract others who hold the same values as the foundation for everything they do. I can’t wait for next season to begin.”
Echoing the excitement of Altman and Gilbert, Beilein is looking forward to joining the organization.
"I am very thankful to Dan Gilbert and Koby Altman and honored to be the head coach of the Cavaliers. I love the position the team is in to build and grow and this was something I felt was the perfect fit for me. With hard work and dedication by all of us, we will grow this team day by day and reinforce a culture of success that sustains itself with strong core values. Cleveland is a great city with amazing fans and I am really looking forward to calling Cleveland home for years to come.”
Beilein thanked fans, students, players and everyone involved for making his time great at the University of Michigan.
Thanks to everyone at the Univ of Michigan for their incredible support these last 12 years. Our fans , alums , leaders, players and students are AMAZING It has been a heck of a ride and I hope you enjoyed our teams and staff as much as I did !Go Blue Forever ! #GoBlue
— John Beilein (@JohnBeilein) May 13, 2019
He's considered one of the elite offensive tacticians and teachers in basketball. He has experience coaching high school, junior college, Division III, II and I.
Beilein has led Michigan to two Final Fours and four Big 10 titles. In his 12 seasons at Michigan, he became the winningest coach in school history.
A native to Burt, New York, Beilein is married to his wife of 40 years. They have four children together, a daughter and three sons.
