Scott Brooks: Latest News, Rumors and Speculation on Thunder Coach's Future

The Oklahoma City Thunder front office has reportedly fired head coach Scott Brooks.

Continue for updates.

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Brooks Reportedly Fired by Thunder

Wednesday, April 22

Yahoo Sports' Adrian Wojnarowski reported Oklahoma City has fired Brooks. The team confirmed the firing in a statement:

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The Oklahoma City Thunder announced today that the organization has parted ways with Scott Brooks as head coach.

“This is an extremely difficult decision on many levels. Scott helped establish the identity of the Thunder and has earned his rightful place in the history of our organization through his seven years as a valued leader and team member,” said Sam Presti, Thunder Executive Vice President and General Manager. “As we all know, this past year we had unique and challenging circumstances and as I have conveyed, not many people could have accomplished what Scott and this team were able to. Therefore, it is very important to state that this decision is not a reflection of this past season, but rather an assessment of what we feel is necessary at this point in time in order to continually evolve, progress and sustain. We determined that, in order to stimulate progress and put ourselves in the best position next season and as we looked to the future, a transition of this kind was necessary for the program. We move forward with confidence in our foundation and embrace the persistence and responsibility that is required to construct an elite and enduring basketball organization capable of winning an NBA championship in Oklahoma City.”

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UConn's Kevin Ollie Denies OKC Interest

Wednesday, April 22

Paul Doyle of the Hartford Courant passed along a statement from University of Connecticut head coach Kevin Ollie denying his interest in an NBA job:

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Statement from #UConn coach Kevin Ollie pic.twitter.com/ne56TUVUnS

— Paul Doyle (@PaulDoyle1) April 22, 2015"

On April 20, Adam Zagoria of SNY.tv reported that "UConn coach Kevin Ollie is being 'seriously considered' for the OKC coaching job," per a source close to the situation.

On April 16, Wojnarowski noted Billy Donovan could also become a popular candidate for the team:

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If a change comes, University of Florida coach Billy Donovan could emerge as a serious candidate to coach Oklahoma City, league sources said. [Thunder general manager Sam] Presti has a longstanding friendship with Donovan, a two-time national championship coach who has been open about his interest in moving to the NBA.

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The report also noted the Orlando Magic and Denver Nuggets would be interested in Brooks, who is now available.

Star forward Kevin Durant previously discussed Brooks, according to Darnell Mayberry of The Oklahoman:

Oklahoma City finished the regular season with a 45-37 record in the tough Western Conference. The Thunder tied the New Orleans Pelicans, who earned the No. 8 seed in the postseason due to tiebreakers.

However, game-changing injuries played a huge role in the Thunder's absence from the postseason:

• Six-time All-Star and reigning MVP Durant played in just 27 games out of a possible 82.
• MVP candidate Russell Westbrook took part in just 67 games.
• Defensive anchor and emerging offensive force Serge Ibaka suited up for 64 games and missed the final 18 contests.
• Starting center Steven Adams played in 70 games.

The end result was missing the playoffs for the first time since the 2008-09 campaign.

Brooks, an NBA player for 10 seasons, took over as interim coach in 2008-09 and eventually became the full-time lead man. He was named the NBA Coach of the Year in his first full season at the helm and led the Thunder to the NBA Finals in 2011-12, where they lost to the Miami Heat.