The Golden State Warriors on Thursday officially announced a move that many already knew was coming.
Former Kansas point guard Aaron Miles, a member of Bill Self’s coaching staff for one year during the 2015-16 season, officially has been promoted to the role of full-time assistant coach on Steve Kerr’s staff.
Miles will serve as one of four Player Development Coaches on the Warriors’ staff.
It’s hardly a new environment for the 36-year-old Miles, who has been the head coach of the Santa Cruz Warriors (Golden State’s G League affiliate) for the past two seasons and also spent time with Kerr’s staff during the playoffs.
During the 2018-19 season, Miles led Santa Cruz to the G League’s Western Conference Finals after posting a 34-16 record, the second best in franchise history. He finished his stint in Santa Cruz with an overall record of 57-43 and helped five players earn call-ups to the NBA.
This summer, Miles served as the head coach of Golden State’s Summer League squad.
His connection to the organization goes back beyond his time in Santa Cruz. In 2005, after capping off one of the most successful point guard careers in Big 12 history (his 954 career assists still rank as the most all-time among Big 12 players) Miles joined the Warriors organization as a training camp invitee following the 2005 NBA Draft.
He appeared in 19 games for Golden State during the 2005-06 season and spent the next nine seasons playing professionally overseas.
In 2015-16 he broke into coaching with Self’s staff and then spent the 2016-17 season as a full-time assistant on Joe Dooley’s staff at Florida Gulf Coast.
During the 2017-18 season, Miles’ first in Santa Cruz, the organization was named the NBA G League Franchise of the Year.
Now that Miles is on an NBA bench full time, don’t be surprised if the promotions keep coming in the years ahead.
When talking about Miles following his promotion to head coach in Santa Cruz back in 2017, the Warriors’ front office had nothing but flattering things to say about the young-and-rising coach.
“We’re absolutely thrilled to introduce Aaron Miles as the new head coach of the Santa Cruz Warriors,” Golden State general manager Kent Lacob said in a release. “Aaron has stood out as a leader at every stop in his playing career and as a collegiate assistant coach. We are confident that he will be a tremendous fit for our team and our organization…”
Warriors President Chris Murphy echoed similar sentiments: “Aaron has tremendous experience and basketball knowledge to share with our players and fans. I believe he will be a terrific ambassador for the Santa Cruz Warriors organization and an exemplary member of the Santa Cruz community.”
Warriors announce coaching staff additions & changes pic.twitter.com/m4yLErZT7O
— Warriors PR (@WarriorsPR) August 29, 2019
