Cavaliers hire former Cal women's coach Lindsay Gottlieb as assistant

The Cavaliers have hired former Cal Berkeley coach Lindsay Gottlieb as an assistant on John Beilein's staff.

Gottlieb spent the past eight years coaching the Golden Bears, leading them to seven NCAA Tournament appearances. While she's not the first female assistant coach in the NBA, she is the first to go from being a head college coach to the pro league.

Gottlieb went 179-89 at Cal and led the school to its first Final Four in 2013.

Cavaliers general manager Koby Altman says “Lindsay Gottlieb will be a great addition to Coach Beilein’s and Coach Bickerstaff’s group. She has an extensive track record of success and growth with her teams and players and has also been a strong culture-driver as a core part of that.”

“The more we researched and got to know Lindsay, the more we came to understand that she would be an impactful part of where we want to go as a team. Coach Gottlieb brings a depth of basketball knowledge, leadership, perspective and approach to her craft that will fit very well with our team and staff alike. We’re fortunate that she was willing to leave her role as Head Coach at such a solid and successful program at Cal."

“I am excited to have a coach with Lindsay’s experience as a part of the new coaching staff with the Cavaliers,” said Beilein. “Lindsay truly values and embraces player development and a culture of winning basketball habits. Her success at Cal Berkeley speaks for itself and her insight in our meetings, practices and games will hold tremendous value. After sitting with her, it was easy to see how she will connect quickly with our staff and our players, and we all benefit because of that connection. I’m looking forward to merging all of her years of experience and vision for the game with our current and future coaching staff.”

The Cavaliers hired Beilein last month following his 12-year stint at Michigan, where he was the school's winningest coach.