Portland Trail Blazers: 5 Top Coaching Options for the 2012-13 Season

Now that the Portland Trail Blazers and former head coach Nate McMillan have parted ways, it is time to consider the possibilities for the next potential head coach for the Trail Blazers.

With so many options out there for the Blazers to choose from, I will break down the five most likely coaching options for the Blazers.

Kaleb Canales

A story that could develop quite similarly to that of Miami’s head coach Erik Spoelstra, Kaleb Canales has the potential to be the Trail Blazers next head coach.

Starting as an video intern in 2005, Canales was promoted to the team's video coordinator in 2009 and then an assistant coach in 2010. Canales has now made it all the way up to interim head coach of the Blazers.

If Canales can somehow get the Blazers to a better than .500 season record or even a playoff appearance, there is a good chance he may receive another promotion and become the new head coach of the Trail Blazers.

Jerry Sloan

Probably one of the best options for the Blazers out there is long-time Utah Jazz coach Jerry Sloan.

If the Blazers could lure Sloan out from retirement he would be a great fit for the Blazers.

Being one of only three coaches in NBA history to have a winning record in 15 consecutive seasons proves that Sloan knows what he is doing.

Another big bright spot for Sloan is that all of his winning was with Utah, a team in the same division as the Blazers. He knows the conference and division as well as anyone. 

Phil Jackson

When Mike D’Antoni resigned from his position in New York there were a lot of rumors that Phil Jackson would come out of retirement and take that job.

While it does not seem to likely that Jackson would come to Portland even if he did come out of retirement, there still is the potential if he really is looking for a coaching job.

Mike D’Antoni

Mike D’Antoni resigned from his position with the Knicks after a disappointing 18-24 start to the 2012 season.

Probably still looking for an NBA coaching job, D'Antoni could be looking at a great opportunity with the Blazers.

D’Antoni won the Coach of the Year Award with the Phoenix Suns during the 2004-05 season after leading to Suns to 33 more victories than their previous season.

Flip Saunders

Flip Saunders has seen great success in his career, but experienced recent failure with the Washington Wizards.

Eventually fired by the Washington Wizard this year after a pathetic record of 51-130 with the franchise, Saunders is out looking for work.

Saunders has proved that he can win as well, as he did with the Detroit Pistons. Succeeding Larry Brown as the head coach for the Pistons in 2005, Saunders lead the Pistons to the best regular season record by a Piston team.

Perhaps he can replicate the success he had with the Pistons if he gets the opportunity with the Blazers.