The Santa Cruz Warriors are making their second coaching change since moving to the city, and the reported hire has some ties to the NBA’s Warriors. Aaron Miles, a former Kansas player who spent two short stints with Golden State in his professional career, is set to become the third head coach in the franchise’s history in Santa Cruz, according to G-League writer Adam Johnson.
Former Santa Cruz coach Casey Hill, whose tenure included a league title in 2015, departed the team at the end of this past season after four seasons as the man in charge.
Miles worked as an assistant coach for Florida Gulf Coast University last season after working in Kansas’ athletic department following his playing career. He was signed, and ultimately cut, twice by the Warriors. The first time came as an undrafted rookie free agent in the 2005-06 season. Miles played 19 games with Golden State that season, scoring 16 points to go along with 24 assists in only 118 minutes of play.
He moved to play professionally in Europe from 2006-2010 before participating in Warriors training camp ahead of the 2010-11 season. Miles was cut shortly before the season began.
After just two seasons in assisting capacities at the college level, it’ll be a bit of a jump for Miles to be running a G-League team, but it appears he was in Las Vegas for the Summer League recently, presumably building relationships with some of his future players.
I have confirmed that the @GLeagueWarriors plan to name Aaron Miles their new head coach. Makes sense why I saw Miles so much in Las Vegas. https://t.co/fc5y5hJIXw
— Connor Letourneau (@Con_Chron) July 18, 2017