Report: Jerry Stackhouse set to return as 905 coach next season

A source close to the situation has told RaptorsHQ, that the Raptors 905 will have their Coach of the Year winner back on the bench next season, barring an NBA head coaching job opening up.

Last season Jerry Stackhouse, in his first year as a head coach, took over the Raptors 905 and helped lead them to the second best record in G-League history. They also won the championship. It may come as a bit of a surprise that Stackhouse will return as his desire to coach in the NBA has been well-documented. However with no NBA head coaching jobs open as of yet, Stackhouse will return to the G-League.

As a coach last year Stackhouse built his reputation on holding his players accountable and going hard in practices (some upwards of three hours). He preached defense throughout last season, despite the offense-heavy way of the G-League, and got the 905 to hold opponents under 100 points per game. In another differentiation from G-League norms, Stackhouse expanded his playing rotation up to ten or 12 players, with most playing between 20-25 minutes. He pushed for a team-win mentality that paid off for the 905, and for individual players like call-ups Edy Tavares and Axel Toupane.

It will be interesting to see how Stackhouse sets up his rotation for next season. The Raptors will welcome a host of new faces, including rookie OG Anunoby, plus some two-way contract players (like Malcolm Miller). There’s also the final year coming for Bruno Caboclo and his long development arc. It remains a huge boon for the 905 to have a name of the caliber of Stackhouse to guide these young players along. One day the NBA will surely call his number, but for now, the 905 can enjoy his presence for another year.