ATLANTA -- The Atlanta Hawks today announced that Head Coach Mike Budenholzer has been promoted to President of Basketball Operations in addition to his duties as Head Coach and Wes Wilcox has been promoted to General Manager.
Budenholzer, who was named the NBA Coach of the Year after leading the Hawks to a franchise-record 60-22 mark last season, was originally named head coach on May 28, 2013.
In 2014-15, Budenholzer led the Hawks to the Southeast Division title (the club’s first Division championship in 21 years), earned the Eastern Conference’s top seed and put together a franchise-best 19-game winning streak, tying the fifth-longest streak in NBA history.
Budenholzer was the Eastern Conference Coach of the Month in both December and January, becoming the first Hawks coach to win the honor in back-to-back months. In addition, he and his staff coached the Eastern Conference All-Star team in New York in February.
Prior to joining the Hawks, Budenholzer spent 19 seasons with the San Antonio Spurs, including the last 17 as an assistant coach and the past six as the top aide to Head Coach Gregg Popovich. Budenholzer played a significant role in helping the team earn four NBA championship rings during his tenure.
Wilcox, who has served the last three seasons as Atlanta’s Assistant General Manager, has worked in the NBA for 14 years. He has been an integral part of the team’s decision-making process, helping re-sign All-Stars Kyle Korver and Jeff Teague as well as extending contract offers to free agents Kent Bazemore, DeMarre Carroll and Paul Millsap.
Prior to his hiring with the Hawks, Wilcox was director of player personnel for the Cleveland Cavaliers, and he served as the first general manager of the club’s NBA Development League team, the Canton Charge.
He joined the Cavaliers in 2003 and held the roles of advance scout, college scout, pro personnel scout and assistant coach before his promotion to director of player personnel.
Wilcox got his NBA start in 2001-02 as an intern with the Miami Heat in their scouting/video department before moving to New Orleans as the team’s video coordinator in 2002-03.
“From our prospective as new owners, a key part of what we bought into is the leadership and proven success of Coach Bud and Wes heading the club’s basketball operations. Their collaboration was instrumental in leading our team to its 60-win season this year, and we are excited to have them continue their great work for years to come," said Tony Ressler and Grant Hill, Chair and Vice Chair of the Board of Directors of the Hawks. "We look forward to continuing to support their vision for the team as part of our effort to ensure that the Atlanta Hawks Basketball Club is one of the premier franchises in all of sports."