Report: Blue Coats’ Mike Longabardi to be promoted to Sixers assistant coach

There was a few different pieces of Philadelphia 76ers news that grabbed attention on Wednesday of this week. The franchise debuted the revival of the Allen Iverson-era throwback uniforms they will wear on occasion in 2025-26, and we learned that the team and Quentin Grimes seem to be at odds regarding a deal for the upcoming season.

Also yesterday, however, was a piece of Sixers news that fell a bit through the cracks. With training camp quickly approaching, the team is getting everything set to go. This reportedly includes the promotion of Delaware Blue Coats’ head coach Mike Longabardi to assistant coach of the 76ers, according to HoopsHype’s Michael Scotto.

Longabardi will join the coaching staff under Nick Nurse after having led the Sixers’ G League affiliate Blue Coats for the last two seasons. He has been heavily involved in the development of the younger players down in Delaware, many of whom have since made the jump to the Sixers’ roster at one time or another.

Longabardi has a long history at the NBA level as well, dating back to his first gig as assistant coach for the Houston Rockets beginning in 2003. He has since held coaching roles with the Boston Celtics (winning a championship in 2008), the Phoenix Suns, the Cleveland Cavaliers (winning another title in 2016), the Washington Wizards, the Sacramento Kings and the Atlanta Hawks.

The Sixers will hold their media day on Friday of this week with training camp set to start the following day. They will begin playing preseason ball next week against the New York Knicks across the world as part of the NBA’s 2025 Abu Dhabi Games.