NBA Rumors: Jeff Van Gundy is Rockets’ top choice for head coach opening

The Rockets are looking to bring in Jeff Van Gundy as their new head coach.

In the beginning of the season, the Houston Rockets fired Kevin McHale as head coach of the team. This was despite them having made the Western Conference Finals just months prior. J.B. Bickerstaff would take over the role as the interim coach.

With the way the rest of the Rockets’ season went, though, it seems they’ll be looking for a new coach. According to The Vertical, Jeff Van Gundy is the top choice to fill the void for next season.

Van Gundy’s last coaching position was with the Rockets. He was at the helm from 2003 to 2007 before being fired after losing in the first round of the 2007 NBA Playoffs. He has since been working for ESPN as a commentator.

Van Gundy is also known for his time with the New York Knicks, having brought the team to six NBA Playoffs appearances, including the Finals in 1999.

The Rockets seem to be looking for an experienced coach to take over the spot and Van Gundy would certainly fit the bill. He would probably have to do some damage control as this team has looked checked out and most recently got crushed by the Golden State Warriors in Game 1 of their series this past weekend. No one expects them to defeat the Warriors in this series, so morale will likely be down as well.

We’ll see if Jeff Van Gundy becomes the new head coach after the playoffs. He is also being pursued by other teams, so he might go elsewhere, if he chooses to take a job.

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