Jeff Van Gundy still has significant support at ESPN, with voices urging NBA teams to consider him for head coaching positions. The former ESPN NBA analyst has been instrumental as the lead assistant coach for the Los Angeles Clippers under Ty Lue this season. As coaching vacancies arise, notable personalities like Brian Windhorst, Stephen A. Smith, and Christopher “Mad Dog” Russo have been advocating for Van Gundy’s candidacy.
“There’s all these job openings and I have yet to hear Jeff Van Gundy’s name. So I am just going to remind the league, that while you’re looking at how well this Clippers team is doing, don’t forget about Jeff Van Gundy.” – Brian Windhorst pic.twitter.com/fd5k1FpgFL
— Awful Announcing (@awfulannouncing) April 16, 2025
During a segment on First Take, Windhorst expressed, “Clippers player after Clippers player that I’ve spoken to this year has mentioned the significant impact Jeff Van Gundy has had in lifting the team. Despite all these job openings, I still haven’t heard his name. So, I want to remind the league—while you’re observing the Clippers’ success, don’t overlook Jeff Van Gundy.” He emphasized that this was his own initiative, rather than a script from Van Gundy, adding that “he wouldn’t want me to say it.” Following this, Stephen A. Smith immediately lent his support, stating, “I completely one thousand percent echo your sentiments about Jeff Van Gundy. He’s a head coach in this league, deserving of leadership. He’s an exceptional coach with a brilliant basketball mind, and Ty Lue can’t stop praising his contributions in Los Angeles.”
While discussing Van Gundy, Smith also advocated for another former ESPN colleague, Mark Jackson, emphasizing his worthiness for a head coaching chance in the NBA. Chris Russo echoed these sentiments, praising Van Gundy’s prior success as a TV analyst.
“And he was a great analyst, let’s not forget that too. He was great on TV. Not good, great. Funny. Great.” – Chris Russo pic.twitter.com/L1Ktp6sNXA
— Awful Announcing (@awfulannouncing) April 16, 2025
“I will three-peat what these two said about Van Gundy,” Russo remarked. “He was fantastic on TV, not just good—he was great. Funny, engaging.” While Russo’s admiration of Van Gundy’s analyst skills is hard to dispute, it’s likely not the narrative ESPN wishes to highlight often, considering Van Gundy’s departure from the network in 2023 after 16 years as their lead NBA analyst. Van Gundy has openly acknowledged the lingering hurt from his firing, yet it was that cost-cutting decision by ESPN that set him back on the path toward coaching in the NBA.
One of the primary arguments against Van Gundy receiving a head coaching opportunity in the past was his lack of a position since 2006. While this criticism may have held weight a couple of years ago, it no longer applies. Post-ESPN, Van Gundy has taken meaningful steps back into coaching, working first as a consultant with the Boston Celtics last season and now as an assistant coach with the Clippers. His almost two-decade hiatus from head coaching should no longer count against him.
