Why Patrick Ewing Will Never Be an NBA Head Coach

Will Patrick Ewing ever land a head coaching job in the NBA?

After missing the cut for several head coaching openings, the 49-year old Hall of Famer should get comfortable in his role as an NBA assistant coach.

Orlando, New York and Charlotte all seemed like great opportunities for Ewing to make the jump to head coach, but he wasn't a final candidate for any of the teams.

The Magic are looking in a different direction, even though Ewing coached there for five years.

In New York, he was never a serious candidate for the Knicks job, a position that he clearly wanted with a franchise close to his heart. James Dolan didn't even call Phil Jackson, so from that perspective it's not shocking that Ewing wasn't contacted.

As for the Bobcats, Ewing was granted an interview but wasn't a finalist for the job, something owner Michael Jordan personally told him.

Why can't the 10-year assistant get serious consideration, and why will he never be a head coach?

Well, mostly because there's a handful of more qualified candidates, and partially because it seems like NBA executives don't see him as a good fit as the lead man. If Ewing can't get hired now, it stands to reason that he may never get the call.

Think about some of the candidates available for future job openings.

Jerry Sloan is a veteran and a coaching legend. Brian Shaw has championship experience from his playing and coaching days with the Lakers. The Van Gundy brothers have both coached in the NBA finals. Mike D'Antoni's also available.

Each of these coaches has a better resume', pedigree and sideline presence than Ewing.

It's not that Patrick Ewing is a bad coach. He's just not an attractive candidate compared to the slew of potential head coaches out there.

The franchise he played at for 15 years doesn't want him, the franchise he coached at for five years doesn't want him and the recent hope for the Charlotte job is over.

This summer was Ewing's best shot at getting a head coaching gig, and he came up empty.

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