The answer is yes, but the greater issue is I'm not sure he'd want to, despite his public quotes, and this is part of the issue of Malone's firing not operating in a vacuum.
The few, and it's really only a small, select few, who have defended this move have also failed to understand the wide-ranging implications of what just happened. PDA and Vivek made this coaching position extremely unattractive. Their very public comments about we want our coach to do this or do that, with the recent example of "if you don't, you'll get fired at any time", on top of evidence of heavy FO and ownership meddling, such as Vivek giving orders to play Royce White or not playing Sessions/Nik enough, really could see any coaching candidate worth his salt telling PDA/Vivek to **** off if they're approached with a job offer.
Everything suggests Malone was fired because he resisted FO and ownership meddling and demands, and everything going forward suggests the next candidate would have to mold to the ridiculous expectations of this FO and ownership. Why would a guy like Karl come on board in a situation like that? He'd expect the opposite, more control, more ability to implement his system and what he wants to do, and he has the resume to demand exactly that. Instead as we saw last night, our FO is basically coaching this team through a patsy, where we saw sudden changes from the 12 man gameday roster to the rotation to a change in tempo and less organized defense, and a clear representation of Corbin doing what the FO and ownership wants.
How do people think our position looks within coaching circles around the league? We already have the Gentry example where he didn't like the implication of coming in and replacing Malone during the season, as it's a back-stabbing move and he instead told Malone what the plan was, then went to GS. We've got Pop taking shots at our FO and ownership. Then there's what happened to Malone which brings this to another level altogether. Coaches are a fraternity, they look out for each other and don't like when their role in an organization and this sport is disrespected, as the head coaching position has been here. The role of a head coach is not to be a patsy for a clueless FO and hands-on owner who wants a "Jazz director".
What are we left with? Probably an at best average coach who might never see a head coaching job offered to him around this league again outside this mess, a guy like VDN, or a guy with no track record who will get his first shot at coaching a team, like Mullin. But any coach with clout and a proven resume is going to expect control and the ability to turn around a sinking ship as he sees fit. That this franchise is sinking and our FO/owner are giving a very public message that they want more control and more input, really handicaps us. I btw think a number of coaches would jump at the opportunity to coach Cuz, but in seeing what's happening here will wait until PDA has been removed, or until both PDA/Vivek learn their lesson and quit meddling.
