Chapter 40: Coaching Staff
After the Rockets officially announced Andrew as the new head coach, his phone exploded with congratulatory texts.
Messages poured in from Yao Ming and Tracy McGrady, as well as from Thibodeau and even the team owner, Alexander. To Andrew's surprise, there were also texts from Swift and Hathaway, sending their best wishes.
Hathaway's message stood out. Along with her congratulations, she invited Andrew to a lavish party that evening, throwing in the promise of introducing him to a world-class supermodel.
Andrew chuckled. He didn't have time to meet supermodels, but since he was now running TA Music, connecting Swift to more influential circles would be invaluable for her career. He agreed to Hathaway's invitation, planning to introduce Swift around and expand her network.
After confirming with Hathaway, Andrew turned his focus to business. It was time to hold his first official coaching staff meeting as the new head coach.
The atmosphere in the room was tense. The assistant coaches had different expressions than usual, and the room buzzed with nervous energy.
A new head coach often meant significant changes to the coaching staff. Some were eager to move up into the first assistant coach role that Andrew vacated, while others feared for their jobs.
Andrew noticed the anxiety. He leaned over to Thibodeau and asked quietly. Thibodeau, always blunt, told him the staff was worried they might be let go.
Andrew couldn't help but laugh to himself. He had only been in the NBA for half a season, and suddenly, he was in charge of everything. He had no plans to overhaul the coaching staff—he didn't even know many other coaches personally. For the sake of stability, he had no intention of making big changes.
Clearing his throat, Andrew addressed the room. "There's no need to worry about your future here," he began. "Other than Thibodeau, who will step into the first assistant coach role, everyone else will remain in their current positions."
His words were simple but carried immense weight. A few assistants looked disappointed—they had hoped for promotions—but most breathed sighs of relief.
Thibodeau, on the other hand, was visibly surprised. Andrew hadn't told him beforehand.
"Thibodeau," Andrew continued, cutting off his attempt to speak, "Jeff was the one who brought me into the team. He's a great coach and someone I respect deeply. Just because there were differences in our coaching philosophies doesn't mean I think less of him. So let's keep doing what we've been doing—focus on our duties and keep the ship moving."
The assistant coaches nodded, feeling reassured. Andrew had made it clear that this change was about management's direction, not internal conflict.
With the Mavericks game looming, Andrew and his newly solidified coaching staff dove straight into strategy, analyzing their opponents and formulating a game plan. After more than two hours of intensive discussion, the first coaching meeting concluded.
As the other coaches filed out, Thibodeau lingered, still sitting at the table.
"Don, I'm not sure I should be the first assistant," Thibodeau finally said, breaking the silence.
Andrew raised an eyebrow. "What? Jeff's resignation got you second-guessing everything?" he asked, a hint of humor in his voice.
"No, no," Thibodeau quickly clarified. "I mean, I think I should keep focusing on defense. I'm not great with offensive schemes. You need someone who can handle that side of things."
Andrew chuckled and shook his head. "Don't worry about the offense. I'll handle it. I'll give you the overall defensive strategy, and you can work out the details. We make a good team."
Thibodeau opened his mouth to protest, but Andrew cut him off. "Besides, there's one more gap we need to fill," he added. "I want someone to focus on shooting development. Specifically, three-point shooting."
Thibodeau looked confused. "What's wrong with Jaylen Rose? He's been handling the shooting."
"Jaylen's fine, but we need a specialist for three-point shooting. Right now, only Novak and Battier can reliably hit threes, and that's not enough. I want the whole team to become a threat from beyond the arc." Andrew's eyes lit up as he spoke. "If we could get someone like Reggie Miller, Glen Rice, or Dale Ellis to help, that would be ideal."
Thibodeau nodded, understanding Andrew's vision. "Alright, I'll start reaching out."
"Good," Andrew said, standing up. "That's it for today. I haven't congratulated you yet—our new first assistant coach! Go home, celebrate with your family." He grinned. "I've got plans tonight, so I'll leave you to it."
Thibodeau chuckled. After more than ten years in the NBA, becoming the team's first assistant coach was something worth celebrating. He thanked Andrew and left the room.
As Thibodeau departed, Andrew checked the time. It was nearly time for Hathaway's party. He headed home, changed into a sharp suit, and made his way to the airport to pick up Swift.
She had flown in from Los Angeles, and her flight was landing any minute.
Andrew stood by the exit gate, watching as passengers trickled out. Swift soon appeared, instantly recognizable with her golden curls and bright eyes. Her effortless beauty caught the attention of several onlookers.
But it was Swift who noticed Andrew first. Her eyes lit up with surprise.
"What's wrong?" Andrew asked, noticing her reaction.
Swift's cheeks flushed. "Nothing," she replied, her voice soft. "You just look… really good." She bit her lip slightly, clearly flustered by how dashing Andrew looked in his suit.
Andrew smirked, catching her meaning. Without another word, he took her hand and led her to the car.
The party they were attending was a high-profile event, hosted by the famous American fashion designer, Benhard Weyholm. It was a gathering of the elite, with supermodels, actors, and influential people from all corners of the entertainment world in attendance.
As they arrived, Andrew and Swift stepped into what felt like a scene straight out of a Hollywood movie. Tall, glamorous models glided through the space, and the atmosphere was electric with energy.
It was unlike any typical party in China. In America, parties like these were part of the culture—gatherings where celebrities and industry giants mingled, networked, and showed off their success.
As they entered the party, Andrew felt as if they had walked straight into a fashion show. Everywhere he looked, there were supermodels flaunting their perfect figures and designers showcasing their latest trends.
Swift looked around in awe, and Andrew gave her a reassuring smile. "Let's meet a few people who can help push your career to the next level."