Who is Joe Prunty, interim head coach of Atlanta Hawks? A look at his coaching record, career, and more

The Atlanta Hawks have fired Nate McMillan after a disappointing first half of the season. Atlanta, a team with title aspirations, simply hasn't been able to get anything going. Joe Prunty will now serve as the interim head coach of the Hawks.

Joe Prunty will be the interim Hawks coach, sources tell ESPN.

Prunty served as the Milwaukee Bucks' head coach in the interim position during the 2018 season. He has been an assistant coach for the San Antonio Spurs, Dallas Mavericks, Portland Trail Blazers, Cleveland Cavaliers, Brooklyn Nets, Phoenix Suns, Milwaukee Bucks, and Atlanta Hawks.

As an assistant, Prunty has won three NBA Championships.

The Hawks are rumored to be interested in multiple candidates as they now go on an intensive search for their next head coach.

McMillan was the latest head coach to be fired during Trae Young's time in Atlanta. Perhaps the Hawks can figure it out this time around and get a coach who Young can get along with.

Can Joe Prunty turn things around for the Atlanta Hawks?

Prunty, 54, is from Fremont, California. He played college basketball at De Anza College and began his coaching career at the University of San Diego. During his short time as the Milwaukee Bucks head coach, Prunty finished with a 21-16 record in 37 games. The Bucks went on to lose in the first round of the Eastern Conference playoffs.

It’s possible for him to turn the season around for Atlanta and earn the official head coaching job. We’ve seen things like this happen in the past. Most notably, Joe Mazzulla was the interim head coach for the Boston Celtics and they decided to keep him after agreeing to a contract just a few days ago.

While it will be tough for Prunty to get this coaching gig with all of the coaches the Hawks are reportedly interested in, it’s a possibility that he'll do well enough to warrant the job. Atlanta is in eighth place in the Eastern Conference with a 29-30 record.