Former NBA Cult Heroes Who Deserve a Head Coaching Shot in NBA

With the recent news that NBA cult hero Mark Madsen was named head coach of the D-League's Los Angeles D-Fenders, it's exciting to think about his potential as an NBA head coach.

Which other fan favorites deserve the reins of an NBA squad?

I'm not talking about superstars and obvious candidates. Instead, I'm looking for the lovable former players who would make interesting and exciting candidates.

Who wouldn't want to see Robert Horry firing up his club, or Brian Scalabrine pacing the sidelines?

The NBA would be even more fun than it already is.

Rick Fox

He wasn't a spectacular NBA talent, but Rick Fox's role in the Shaq-Kobe three-peat and his acting career made him a household name in the late 1990s and early 2000s.

Does he have the DNA to be a head coach in the Association?

Not sure, but he certainly knows a thing or two about winning, and some of Phil Jackson's abundant wisdom must have rubbed off on him.

Don't let his Hollywood smile fool you; Fox knew how to play tough, and his team wouldn't be a pushover.

Brian Scalabrine

It seems like Brian Scalabrine, aka the "White Mamba," has a special place in almost every hoops fan's heart.

Whether it was his enthusiasm, less-than-chiseled physique or knack for drilling shots in garbage time, Scalabrine became one of the favorite non-stars in NBA history.

He was offered an assistant coaching job for the Chicago Bulls after he retired in 2012, but he declined in favor of pursuing a broadcasting career.

Some folks forget that he was in fact a solid ballplayer. If you don't believe me, check out the highlights of his career from the New Jersey Nets, Boston Celtics and Bulls.

Robert Horry

Robert Horry is a cult hero for perhaps the best possible reason: He made a boatload of clutch shots throughout his career, earning him the "Big Shot Rob" and "Big Shot Bob" nickname.

He was far from a star, but he was a key piece on seven NBA title teams for the Houston Rockets, Los Angeles Lakers and San Antonio Spurs.

Horry was a smart player and a really handy guy to have coming off the bench, especially late in his career as he morphed from starter to a reserve.

His love for the game extended his career until he was 38 years old, and he exudes that same passion as a commentator for Time Warner Cable SportsNet.

Spud Webb

With a legendary performance in the 1986 Slam Dunk Contest, 5'7" Spud Webb won the hearts of underdogs everywhere.

If he earned an NBA head coaching opportunity, his players would draw inspiration from him and rally around his will to succeed.

Webb's career, primarily with the Atlanta Hawks and Sacramento Kings, included five seasons of double-digit scoring and four seasons of six-plus assists. He would be a great mentor for point guards, even if he doesn't exude the ideal coaching persona.

His work as president of basketball operations for the D-League Texas Legends shows he's cut out for a leadership role.

Dikembe Mutombo

Known for defense, shot-blocking and charitable work in his homeland Congo, Dikembe Mutombo would be an entertaining, captivating head coach in the NBA.

He served as an inferior center to the likes of Patrick Ewing, Hakeem Olajuwon and Shaquille O'Neal, but Motumbo developed a reputation league-wide for his energy and infamous finger wag.

I can't imagine a player of his not being motivated to win an NBA title for him.

On the sidelines and in the locker room, Mutombo would form a defensive-minded, driven club.

Wally Szczerbiak

Prolific shooter and one-time All-Star Wally Szczerbiak was a dangerous sidekick to Kevin Garnett in his heyday.

His career was interrupted and ultimately shortened by injuries, but he could return to NBA glory as a head coach. In today's three-point oriented league, he would love drawing up schemes to get shooters free.

I'm sure he loves his job as a studio analyst for the MSG Network, but an opportunity to command an NBA lineup would be fun for him and his fans.

Muggsy Bogues

One of the few figures on this list who actually has basketball head coaching experience, Muggsy Bogues would probably be at least eight inches shorter than any of his NBA players.

The 5'3" speedster is the shortest baller in NBA history, and he weaved his way to average a double-double of points and assists in 1993-94.

His coaching experience lies in the WNBA, as he led the Charlotte Sting, who have since been disbanded.

Bogues could dish the rock and fire up his teammates, and he would surely instill a culture of unselfishness and zeal in his NBA squad.

Vlade Divac

The megastar centers of the 1990s may have overshadowed him, but 7'1" Serbian Vlade Divac became a popular figure because he was one of the best non-American players in the NBA.

His candidacy for NBA head coaching is supported by his combination of hoops experience and organizational leadership.

From 2009-2013, Divac served as president of the Olympic Committee of Serbia, and he also received a special award from the World Sports Humanitarian Hall of Fame.

A return to the NBA scene would give him a chance to win that elusive NBA crown.

Kenny Smith

Shaquille O'Neal and Charles Barkley garner a truckload of attention on TNT's NBA studio coverage.

And that's fine by Kenny "The Jet" Smith, who's a popular figure in his own right. He enjoyed a productive NBA career with the Houston Rockets and now does a superb job analyzing hoops and bringing sanity to the TNT set.

He's the only guy on the studio crew who seems to actually enjoy breaking down the X's and O's of the game. Smith draws on the experience of his 10-year career, including a pair of championship runs with the Rockets.

If he coached an NBA team, his sideline energy would be contagious.

Mark Madsen

It remains to be seen whether Mark "Mad Dog" Madsen's current role as head coach of the D-League Los Angeles D-Fenders will lead to NBA opportunities.

He won't lack effort as commander of his troops.

Madsen put his heart and soul into everything basketball-related, whether it was rebounds, sideline cheering or championship celebrations.

Lakers fans would love to see him work his way up the NBA coaching ladder and get a chance to lead the Purple and Gold.

Follow me on Twitter for more NBA fun: @DanielO_BR