DALLAS CLEAN HOUSE: University of Dallas mavericks Fires Head Coach Jason Kidd After Disappointing 2025 Season, Athletic Director Keith Belton Announces Nationwide Search for Top-Tier Replacement”…..see more
In a dramatic but not entirely unexpected move, the Dallas Mavericks have officially parted ways with head coach Jason Kidd following a frustrating and underwhelming 2025 NBA season. The announcement was made Monday morning by Athletic Director Keith Belton who confirmed that the organization has begun a nationwide search for a “top-tier, championship-caliber head coach” to lead the franchise forward.
Jason Kidd, a Hall of Fame point guard and former NBA champion, was brought in to stabilize and elevate a Mavericks team built around superstar Luka Dončić While his tenure began with promise — including a trip to the Western Conference Finals in 2022 — the following seasons saw the Mavericks regress, despite heavy roster investments and major trades.
The 2025 season was marked by inconsistency, locker room tension, and defensive breakdowns. The Mavs finished outside the playoff picture entirely, despite having a roster that included Luka Dončić, Kyrie Irving, and a deep supporting cast. It was their second consecutive first-round absence (or miss), which ultimately sealed Kidd’s fate.
We appreciate everything Jason has done for the Mavericks, said Belton during the press conference. “But the results haven’t aligned with our expectations or the standard of excellence this franchise and our fans deserve. It’s time for a new direction.
This marks a clear organizational reset. The Mavericks’ ownership group, led by Governor Patrick Dumont after Mark Cuban’s partial sale of the team in late 2023, is determined to return Dallas to the NBA elite. Belton emphasized that the coaching search would be thorough, aggressive, and focused on leadership, accountability, and championship pedigree.
Sources say the Mavericks are targeting several high-profile candidates, including both current NBA assistants and former head coaches with playoff experience. Early names rumored include Tyronn Lue Mike Budenholzer, and Becky Hammon, who has continued to thrive in the WNBA and has drawn NBA coaching interest.
As always, the status of Luka Dončić looms large in any decision the Mavericks make. The 26-year-old All-NBA guard remains the cornerstone of the franchise, but frustration has reportedly been building internally over the team’s lack of playoff success and unstable coaching leadership.
Belton confirmed that Dončić will “absolutely have a voice” in the next coaching hire — a sign of the franchise’s intention to keep its star long-term and avoid any future trade drama.
Luka is a generational talent,” Belton said. “We’re committed to building a championship environment around him. That starts with getting the right head coach in place.
Jason Kidd’s coaching future remains uncertain. Despite the firing, he leaves Dallas with a 145–116 overall record and a reputation as a solid developmental coach. However, critics argue that he struggled with in-game adjustments and often failed to build consistency in high-pressure moments.
Kidd is expected to draw interest from teams in need of veteran leadership or potentially land a front office or analyst role if he chooses to step away from the bench.
With a talented but restless core and a fanbase hungry for postseason success, the Mavericks’ next hire will be one of the most scrutinized in recent franchise history. As the NBA landscape continues to evolve, Dallas finds itself at a crossroads — with one of the league’s brightest stars, a passionate city, and the pressure of championship expectations weighing heavy.
One thing is certain: The Jason Kidd chapter in Dallas is closed, and the Mavericks are on the hunt for the next leader to revive their championship dreams.