Michigan’s John Beilein agrees to five-year deal to coach Cleveland Cavaliers

By ADAM ZAGORIA

Michigan’s John Beilein has agreed to a five-year deal to coach the Cleveland Cavaliers, according to ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski.

Beilien, 66, is 754-425 (.640) as a head coach and 278-150 (.650) at Michigan. He led the Wolverines to the NCAA title game in 2018, losing to Villanova, and in 2013, losing to Louisville.

Michigan’s John Beilein has agreed to a five-year deal to become coach of the Cleveland Cavaliers, league sources tell ESPN.

— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) May 13, 2019

The Cavaliers fired Tyronn Lue after an 0-6 start to last season and assistant Larry Drew then coached the team for the remainder of the season. He was fired in April.

To recap, John Beilein just climbed from high school JV to the NBA

Newfane HS, to Erie Community College, to Nazareth College, to Le Moyne College, to Canisius College, to the University Richmond, to West Virginia University, to the University of Michigan, to the Cleveland Cavs.

— Brendan Quinn (@BFQuinn) May 13, 2019

Beilein had been pursued by Orlando and Detroit last year, “but felt differently this time around,” Wojnarowski reported.

“Cleveland wants John Beilein’s values invested into their program,” Wojnarowsi said on ESPN Monday morning. “This is one of the great offensive tacticians in all of basketball.”

Beilein will be in Chicago for the NBA Draft Lottery on Tuesday when the Cavaliers hope to land the No. 1 overall pick in the NBA Draft. The Cavs have a 14 percent chance at the No. 1 pick — presumed to be Zion Williamson — as do the Knicks and Suns.

Michigan now has an opening at one of the most prestigious programs in America. Click here for the latest look at the College Coaching Carousel.

Thank you, @JohnBeilein, for everything you did for Michigan.

▪️ 278 Wins
▪️ 9 NCAA Tournament Appearances
▪️ 2 Final Four Appearances
▪️ 2 #B1G Regular Season Championships
▪️ 2 #B1G Tournament Titles
▪️ 18 All-Big Ten Selections
▪️ 9 @NBA Draft Picks

Forever, #GoBlue! 〽️ pic.twitter.com/EKo7Cbu1jk

— Michigan Men’s Basketball (@umichbball) May 13, 2019

Photo: Bleacher Report

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