Assistant coaches Jeff Hornacek and Will Weaver will not return to the Rockets for the 2022-23 NBA season, as first reported by Mark Berman of Fox 26 Houston. Both Hornacek and Weaver had coached underneath head coach Stephen Silas for each of the past two seasons.
Hornacek, a former NBA head coach, was particularly involved on offense, while Weaver was active on both sides and served as Houston’s head coach in summer league games. Barbara Turner, a player development assistant last season, is also leaving Silas’ staff.
Assistant coaches who remain in place with the Rockets include lead assistant John Lucas, as well as DeSagana Diop and Rick Higgins.
Following the 2021-22 season, Silas said he was hopeful of having all members of his assistant coaching staff return. However, he said he would not attempt to hold any back from a promotion, if they were offered one. General manager Rafael Stone has made it clear that assistant coaching decisions are Silas’ job, rather than his.
There was no immediate word on potential replacements, though one potential candidate appears to be Mahmoud Abdelfattah, head coach of the G League affiliate Rio Grande Valley (RGV) Vipers. Under Abdelfattah’s leadership, RGV recently won its fourth title in team history.
This is interesting. Watch for RGV Vipers coach @MahmoudFattah30, who has been very successful with the Vipers. https://t.co/9aOE36oLDC
— ClutchFans (@clutchfans) May 17, 2022