Corliss Williamson has been impressive during his time as head coach of the Spurs Summer League squad. He’s shown how he works with players as well as his ability to develop young talent. It’s a reminder that Summer League isn’t just about the players. The officiating staff are looking for positions in the upcoming year. The announcers are hoping to get noticed for job offers. And the Summer League head coaches are being watched for available coaches spots.
Going back as far as 2013 and 2014, assistant
coach Ime Udoka was at the helm of Summer League. He was with the Spurs from 2012-2019. He then spent a year in Philadelphia as an assistant coach and another in Brooklyn before landing his first NBA head coaching position in Boston in 2021. In his forst year, he coached the Celtics into the NBA Finals. He’s currently the head coach of the Houston Rockets.
Back in 2015, Becky Hammon coached the Spurs to a Summer League championship. She returned in 2016 and 2019. During her time with the Spurs, she showcased her leadership, earned herself the head coaching spot for the Las Vegas Aces, and now has lead the Aces to three WNBA Championships over the last four seasons.
In 2017 and 2018, Will Hardy coaches the Spurs for Summer League. He was with the franchise from 2015-2021 before following Ime Oduka to Boston as an assistant. The following season, Hardy became the head coach of the Utah Jazz, a role he has had for four seasons, helping the Jazz rebuild after shedding stars Rudy Gobert and Donovan Mitchell.
In 2021 and 2022, the Spurs assistant Mitch Johnson was given the reigns for Summer League. In 2024-25, he filled in for Gregg Popovich as the Spurs head coach. He was officially named the Spurs head coach in 2025, the first new coach since 1996. In his first full season as head coach, Johnson led the Silver & Black to the NBA Finals.
While Summer League has become the place to be to witness all of the NBA’s incoming talent and the starts of tomorrow, Spurs coaches capitalize on the opportunity to show they are ready to coach at the next level.
If Corliss Williamson makes the most of this summer, he could find himself fielding offers in the future.
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