2. Steve Hetzel
Steve Hetzel has built one of those “grind-through-every-layer” coaching résumés. He started as a video coordinator with the San Antonio Spurs under Gregg Popovich then joined Cleveland Cavaliers under Mike Brown before moving into player development roles with Detroit.
That matters because it places him directly in the classic NBA coaching pipeline: film, player development, bench, then a head coaching role. Coaches who survive that ladder usually have strong teaching reputations. He is from a strong coaching tree of Popovich and Brown.
Hetzel coached the Canton Charge, the G-league affiliate of Cleveland, for one season. He led them to a 28-22 record. That earned him an assistant coach role with Charlotte under Steve Clifford. Hetzel coached the Portland Trail Blazers summer league team to the 2022 NBA Summer League championship. He’s been a key part of the impressive Nets coaching staff led by Jordi Fernandez.
Steve Hetzel makes a ton of sense as one of the pelicans coaching candidates. He is one of the younger guys that uses a lot of data in his decisions. Steve Hetzel is the kind of progressive coach the Pelicans need to walk through their door. He’s also known for his collaborative disposition and ability to build a growth culture. As cliché as those sound, the Pelicans have prodigious young talents in Jeremiah Fears and Derik Queen that need that culture.
