Erik Spoelstra almost skipped Heat interview to attend Grateful Dead concert

Erik Spoelstra has had tremendous success as head coach of the Miami Heat. Since getting the gig prior to the 2008-09 season, he’s amassed a 314-189 record, won two championships and been to four NBA Finals.

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But if Spoelstra had followed his gut in regards to a video coordinator job interview with Miami in 1995, that great success presumably wouldn’t have occurred. According to Lee Jenkins of Sports Illustrated, Spoelstra almost skipped said interview to attend a Grateful Dead concert.

"He only applied for the Heat’s video coordinator position in 1995 as part of a bet with his German teammates. When a club official called with a date for an interview, Spoelstra was inclined to pass because he had tickets to a Grateful Dead concert. Even after landing the gig, he was ready to turn it down until his sister called and asked if he’d lost his mind."

While we’re sure the Grateful Dead put on a great show that night 19 years ago, it’s safe to say Spoelstra made the right choice.

Spoelstra ultimately worked his way up the Heat ladder from video coordinator to advanced scout to an assistant coach for Pat Riley and ultimately the role he is in today.

Spoelstra has led Miami to the postseason in each of his six seasons as the team’s head coach.

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