Mike Budenholzer Named 2015 NBA Coach of the Year

Atlanta Hawks head coach Mike Budenholzer has been named the 2015 NBA Coach of the Year, the league announced Tuesday.

Bleacher Report’s Jared Zwerling relayed the news on Twitter.

Budenholzer guided the team to a franchise-best 60-22 record, earning the No. 1 seed in the Eastern Conference. He was twice named the East’s Coach of the Month, these coming when the team amassed a 14-2 record in December, followed by a 17-0 mark in January.

Before coming to Atlanta, Budenholzer spent 20 years in the San Antonio Spurs organization, coaching under future Hall of Famer Gregg Popovich. That experience and knowledge has paid off with the Hawks, since the roster is of similar mold to San Antonio.

Atlanta is considered one of the conference’s top contenders to reach the NBA Finals. The Hawks are currently locked in a series with the Brooklyn Nets in the opening round.

Budenholzer beat out Steve Kerr, another Pop disciple who lifted the Golden State Warriors to the NBA’s best record, for the award.

According to Chris Vivlamore of the Atlanta Journal Constitution, Budenholzer received 67 first-place votes and 513 points, topping Kerr’s 56 and 471, respectively. Jason Kidd finished third following an impressive campaign with the Milwaukee Bucks.

Photo: USA Today Sports