As the San Antonio Spurs play through the second round of the 2026 NBA Playoffs, one of Mitch Johnson’s top assistants Sean Sweeney is becoming a hot name in the head coach market.
Over in the Eastern Conference, the Chicago Bulls made an important move on Monday, as they finally hired their next front office leader in Bryson Graham. Next, the Bulls need to find a Billy Donovan replacement.
A list of potential candidates who interest Graham hasn’t been revealed yet, but the Bulls insider KC Johnson tossed Sweeney’s name out there as one to keep an eye on.
Sean Sweeney’s Latest Link: The Chicago Bulls
GettyCHICAGO – DECEMBER 09: Benny the Bull, mascot for the Chicago Bulls, waves a giant flag with the Bulls’ logo on it during pregame festivities against the New York Knicks at the United Center on December 9, 2008 in Chicago, Illinois. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images)
“One name that is a hot coaching candidate throughout the league for a lot of openings, and I don’t even know if San Antonio would let him out of his contract because he was a big hire for them in the offseason as a lead assistant, there is Sean Sweeney,” Johnson reported on Monday. “That’s one name I would probably keep an eye on.”
Sweeney is in the midst of his first season with the Spurs.
The lead assistant started his coaching career as a video coordinator for the New Jersey Nets in 2011. He landed on a bench with the Nets in 2013. After one season in Brooklyn, Sweeney joined the Milwaukee Bucks.
The Bucks stint would last until 2018. Dwane Casey of the Detroit Pistons added Sweeney to his bench in 2018, and he held that position until 2021. Jason Kidd and the Dallas Mavericks came calling in 2021, adding the young assistant to their bench.
GettyDALLAS, TEXAS – JANUARY 28: Head coach Jason Kidd of the Dallas Mavericks watches play during the first quarter of the game against the Minnesota Timberwolves at American Airlines Center on January 28, 2026 in Dallas, Texas. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Sam Hodde/Getty Images)
The Spurs just might be the final step before Sweeney lands his big break.
In 2025-2026, the Spurs went from missing the playoffs to being a top contender in the Western Conference. San Antonio finished the regular season with a 62-20 record. They were second in the Western Conference, trailing only the Oklahoma City Thunder.
Currently, the Spurs are engaged in a second-round battle with the Minnesota Timberwolves. Sweeney’s focus is on keeping the Spurs hot throughout the postseason, but he’s certainly a name to keep an eye on for future head coaching jobs.
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