Kuester in line to be Detroit Pistons’ head coach, say several outlets

DETROIT -- Joe Dumars has turned to Cleveland Cavaliers assistant John Kuester, a Richmond native and former Benedictine High School standout, as the Pistons' next head coach.

The Detroit Free Press learned late yesterday afternoon that the Pistons were nearing a deal with Kuester, a 54-year-old coaching veteran who has never led an NBA team but was the head man at two mid-major colleges in the 1980s. He won a championship ring as a Pistons assistant in 2004 and has built a reputation in the NBA as a bright offensive mind and game-planner.

Reports from other outlets that a deal had been reached were premature as of last night, according a person familiar with the negotiations. But unless something drastically changes, Kuester would be the Pistons' sixth coach since Dumars became president of basketball operations in June 2000.

Kuester has been an assistant in the league for nearly two decades. He has a relationship with Dumars dating to his one season in Detroit, as an assistant under Larry Brown. Kuester also worked under Brown, a fellow North Carolina Tar Heel, for six seasons in Philadelphia. He has been in Cleveland for the past two years and helped the Cavaliers post the best regular-season record in the NBA this season.

Kuester "has really studied the game and put a tremendous amount of time into preparing to be a head coach," said Kevin Eastman, a Boston Celtics' assistant and Richmond resident. "A tremendous statement was made the last two years when [Cleveland Cavaliers' head coach] Mike Brown basically gave John the offense. John made most of the adjustments."

Eastman is a former University of Richmond standout guard who has known Kuester since the two made a recruiting visit to UR on the same weekend. Eastman also noted Kuester's coaching pedigree. In addition to his long association with Larry Brown, Kuester played for the legendary Warren Rutledge at Benedictine and for Dean Smith at North Carolina.

Kuester would replace Michael Curry, fired last Tuesday after one season (39-43).

Expect an official announcement soon possibly today. This is an important week for the Pistons and their next coach. They officially can sign free agents Ben Gordon and Charlie Villanueva today. Their rookies, lower-level free agents and youngsters start in the Las Vegas summer league Friday.

The negotiations with Kuester capped off a whirlwind day in which former Dallas Mavericks coach Avery Johnson, considered the front-runner for several days, and the Pistons could not agree to terms.

When Dumars fired Curry, he said he was looking for an experienced hand to lead the Pistons through a rebuilding phase. Curry had one season as an assistant before becoming a head coach. Former Pistons coach Doug Collins emerged as a top choice, but he quickly removed his name from consideration. Then it was on to Johnson.

And, finally, Kuester.

The Pistons are clearly in a rebuilding mode, revamping their team from a veteran-laden one to a franchise counting on players in their mid-20s. Detroit is expected to sign free agents Gordon and Villanueva to five-year contracts. Gordon, 6-3, is 26 and the 6-11 Villanueva turns 25 next month. Each is potentially entering the prime of his career.