Mavericks’ top assistant, Stephen Silas, will be the Rockets’ new head coach

The Dallas Mavericks’ coaching staff is losing its top assistant. Stephen Silas, Rick Carlisle’s no. 2 on the bench, has accepted a job with the Houston Rockets. He will become their next head coach, ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski reports.

Houston’s search for a new coach began soon after their second round playoff exit when Mike D’Antoni stepped down from the position after four years. Among a slew of potential candidates, Silas interviewed twice with the team—in late September/early October and again on Oct. 16. He apparently made a great impression.

Silas, son of famed coach Paul Silas, joined Carlisle’s staff in 2018. Prior to coming to Dallas he spent much of his coaching career on the bench in Charlotte with the Hornets, nee Bobcats.

Earlier this year, the Chicago Bulls came calling, ready to pull out the big chair for Silas. Mavericks assistant Jamahl Mosley also interviewed with the Bulls to replace Jim Boylen. Chicago eventually hired Billy Donovan.

Silas is the latest Carlisle protégé of sorts to become a head coach in the NBA. Both Dwane Casey and Terry Stotts accepted lead coaching jobs elsewhere after working under Carlisle. Casey coached the Toronto Raptors for six seasons before taking over the reins of the Detroit Pistons in 2018. Stotts remains the head coach of the Portland Trail Blazers, a job he’s held since 2012.

This is the second time that Silas has been in consideration for head coach of the Rockets. He previously interviewed for the job in 2016. He lost out to D’Antoni then. Now, Silas will be his replacement.