Owensboro native and Apollo High School graduate Tyler Lashbrook is reportedly emerging as a serious candidate for the Portland Trail Blazers’ head coaching position.
According to reporting from Brian Robb of MassLive, citing NBA insider Jake Fischer, Lashbrook has advanced to an in-person interview with Portland as the franchise continues its search for a new head coach.
Lashbrook has quickly risen through the NBA coaching ranks in recent years. He spent the 2024-25 season as head coach of the Maine Celtics, Boston’s NBA G League affiliate, before returning to Joe Mazzulla’s staff with the Boston Celtics. Prior to joining Boston, Lashbrook spent several seasons with the Philadelphia 76ers organization, working under coaches Brett Brown and Doc Rivers.
The former Western Kentucky University graduate began his NBA career as a basketball operations intern and video coordinator with the 76ers before moving into player development roles.
In September 2024, the Maine Celtics named Lashbrook their head coach for the 2024-25 NBA G League season, marking his first head coaching opportunity.
“It’s an exciting time to be in the G League for both players and coaches,” Lashbrook said at the time. “There’s truly no better development opportunity in the world.”
During his time with Boston, Lashbrook earned praise from Celtics head coach Joe Mazzulla for his work with player development and late-game preparation.
“Tyler is a great coach who excels in relationship management and communication,” Mazzulla previously said. “Last season, he led our late-game situational prep and took the lead on developing some of our younger players.”
Reports indicate the Trail Blazers have interviewed a wide range of candidates as they attempt to fill one of the NBA’s remaining head coaching vacancies. Current interim coach Tiago Splitter remains in contention, while several other NBA assistants and former head coaches have also reportedly interviewed for the job.
Lashbrook’s name surfacing among the finalists represents another milestone in a coaching journey that began in Owensboro and has steadily progressed through the NBA ranks.
The Portland position would mark Lashbrook’s first NBA head coaching job if selected.
