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Austin Spurs hire Matt Nielsen as new head coach

Matt Nielsen and Tyler Self receive a G-League promotion

Sioux Falls Skyforce v Austin Spurs Photo by Chris Covatta/NBAE via Getty Images

Matt Nielsen has been named the head coach of the Austin Spurs per a press release from the organization. Tyler Self also received a promotion to become the general manager of San Antonio’s G-Leauge affiliate.

Nielsen spent last season as an assistant coach on head coach Blake Ahearn’s staff, and Self spent last season as assistant general manager under general manager and five-year NBA veteran Landry Fields.

The two now replace former head coach Blake Ahearn and general manager Landry Fields who were hired away by the Memphis Grizzlies and Atlanta Hawks after the G-League season came to an early close.

The NBA and commissioner Adam Silver have explicitly stated their interest in maintaining player safety amid the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, and there is no guarantee of a 2020-2021 G-League season.

With the travel and intermingling that corresponds with the back-and-forth of players between the G-League and NBA, it appears there’s little hope for the G-League to resume business as usual.