Houston Rockets

Rockets reportedly will interview TNT's Kenny Smith to fill head coach opening

Published May. 9, 2016 7:45 p.m. ET

Nunzio Ingrassia

The Houston Rockets are looking for a permanent solution at head coach and apparently that search will include TNT analyst Kenny Smith.

The former Houston Rockets guard will meet with the team Tuesday regarding its head coaching vacancy, ESPN reported Monday.

Smith is one of a number of candidates reportedly interviewing of the job, joining former Cavs coach David Blatt and former Suns coach Jeff Hornacek.

Smith spent six seasons with the Rockets as a player, helping the franchise win back-to-back titles. But what he's probably best known for is his role on TNT's pregame and postgame NBA shows. Smith and Charles Barkley have had many memorable moments on the Emmy-winning show.

The Rockets fired Kevin McHale 11 games into the season despite McHale guiding the team to the Western Conference finals last spring. J.B. Bickerstaff took over as interim head coach but withdrew his name from consideration for the position next season after the Rockets were knocked out of the playoffs in the first round.