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UCLA Basketball: Three former NBA coaches that can replace Steve Alford

By Jason Reed

LOS ANGELES, CA - DECEMBER 29: Head coach Steve Alford of the UCLA Bruins reacts during the second half against the Liberty Flames at Pauley Pavilion on December 29, 2018 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Tim Bradbury/Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CA - DECEMBER 29: Head coach Steve Alford of the UCLA Bruins reacts during the second half against the Liberty Flames at Pauley Pavilion on December 29, 2018 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Tim Bradbury/Getty Images) /
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(Photo by Rob Carr/Getty Images) – UCLA Basketball
(Photo by Rob Carr/Getty Images) – UCLA Basketball /

2. Jason Kidd

  • NBA experience: Brooklyn Nets (2013-2014), Milwaukee Bucks (2014-2018)

Jason Kidd’s NBA coaching career has not started off on the right foot. Despite being a great floor general during his playing career, Kidd did not make the seamless transition to coaching that he may have expected.

It is apparent that Kidd rushed into coaching and did not yet perfect his craft in the college game or even as an assistant coach elsewhere. Jumping right into a coaching gig is a hard thing to do, and while Kidd had his moments of success, it was not as successful as some may have expected.

However, Kidd still undoubtedly has one of the best basketball minds on the market and is currently unemployed. While he was not able to jump right into the fire of the NBA, his basketball mind and natural connection to players could be something very valuable to UCLA.

Kidd would thrive more in a setting where he is teaching kids how to be NBA ready and what it takes to be an NBA player more than he did coaching already established NBA players.

Former players are starting to trickle into the college coaching game at a higher rate and Kidd would be one of the better success stories. Kidd is someone that the next four to five recruiting classes probably watched as a kid, something that also has an advantage in the recruiting process.

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