Miami Heat Rumors: Former Heat Player Emerges as ‘Prime’ Contender for Assistant Coach Position

By Brady Klopfer
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Updated: May 24, 2019

Malik Allen has emerged as a strong contender to become the next Miami Heat assistant coach.

The Heat are searching for a new assistant after Juwan Howard left to become head coach at the University of Michigan. Howard had been a part of Miami’s coaching staff for six seasons.

According to reports, Allen has become a “prime contender” for the vacant spot.

Malik Allen — lone survivor from Tom Thibodeau's coaching staff in Minnesota — has emerged as a prime contender for the Miami bench as the Heat look to fill the void created by Juwan Howard's departure to Michigan, league sources say
— Marc Stein (@TheSteinLine) May 24, 2019

Allen has ties to the Heat. He also has a lot of coaching experience.

The former power forward spent parts of four seasons playing for the Heat. Allen signed with the Heat during the 2001-02 season, which was his first in the league.

He played for Miami until late in the 2004-05 season, at which point he was traded to the Charlotte Bobcats.

In all, Allen had a nine-year career as a player. He had career averages of 4.9 points and 2.8 rebounds per game. He last played during the 2009-10 season.

Allen then took an assistant coach position with the Detroit Pistons in the 2014-15 season. He coached in Detroit for four years before joining the Minnesota Timberwolves staff last season.