The Denver Nuggets are looking to rebound in the 2025-26 campaign under head coach David Adelman following their Western Conference semifinals loss to the Oklahoma City Thunder.
The Nuggets began the 2024-25 season with Michael Malone coaching the Nikola Jokic-led squad, but he was fired on April 8 — just three games before the postseason. Team president Josh Kroenke cited tension between Malone and former general manager Calvin Booth before ultimately dismissing both.
Now, Malone is set to join ESPN’s NBA Countdown in a full-time role this season. Still, coaching may be on his radar in the future.
MORE: Nuggets' Aaron Gordon discusses connection with Nikola Jokic
Michael Malone gets honest about coaching again
While he’s currently focused on his new gig at ESPN, Malone revealed in a recent interview with Frank Isola and Brian Scalabrine on SiriusXM’s The Starting Lineup that he’s ready to get back into coaching if the right opportunity arises.
“In my heart, Frank, I’m a coach. I’m the son of a coach. It’s definitely something I’d love to get back in. I still have a bad taste in my mouth with how things ended in Denver, and I’d love to go out on my own terms,” he said.
“... When I have a chance to go back into the NBA, I just want to make sure I’m working with a group of people that are like-minded and share a common vision and are willing to do whatever it takes to make that vision become a reality,” Malone added.
“I’m a competitor, I’m a teacher, and I am a coach first and foremost. TV star, second.”
— SiriusXM NBA Radio (@SiriusXMNBA) September 22, 2025
Former NBA Head Coach Michael Malone tells @TheFrankIsola & @Scalabrine whether he’d ever return to the sidelines. pic.twitter.com/5WlL8SQ4VK
Malone is the winningest coach in Nuggets history and spent nearly 10 seasons in Denver. He finished his tenure with a 471-327 record and led the Nuggets to their lone championship in 2023.
Having served as an assistant coach for four different teams and a head coach for two, Malone brings ample NBA experience. He may not jump back into an NBA coaching job immediately, though he will likely be a strong candidate for future openings.
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