I was recently given the incredible opportunity to interview Dwayne Casey, the coach of the Detroit Pistons – and as an added bonus, his beautiful wife, Brenda, was on speaker, too. Coach Casey is a former NCAA basketball player and coach, having played and coached there for more than a decade before moving on to the NBA. He was previously the head coach of the Minnesota Timberwolves and the Toronto Raptors, with whom he won the NBA Coach of the Year Award in 2018.
When Dwane was offered the coaching position for the Pistons, neither he nor Brenda needed too much convincing. Team owner Tom Gores sold both of them on Detroit’s Midwest values, manners and importance of family. Gores also made it clear that he believed in Casey and trusted that he could turn the Pistons around with his exemplary coaching skills and knack for developing young talent.
I was excited to ask Dwane a few questions in our interview -- and not necessarily all about basketball. His upbeat energy was infectious along with his enthusiasm and optimistic approach to the team rebuild.
Q: Are you excited about the direction the team is going in?
A: Yes, I really am. I have very high aspirations with the rebranding of the Pistons. We have young players and high energy. Detroit understands what a championship team looks like. We have young kids ready to play with vigor and stamina.
Q: What’s the most surprisingly pleasant thing about being in Detroit?
A: When Tom Gores sold us on Detroit and what a wonderful place it was to raise a family, we believed him and his passion for the city. What we have come to realize for ourselves is that metro Detroit really is the most welcoming family-orientated place. The community, neighborhoods and schools have welcomed our family into their community and we feel at home. We’ve also come to realize that there’s such diversity in Detroit along with such a strong work ethic in so many fields. It’s a great place to live.
Q: What’s your favorite local restaurant to eat at or get carry out from?
A: Salvatore Scallopini! [said by Dwane and Brenda in sync and without a moment’s hesitation]. Salvatore Scallopini is “technically” Dwane's favorite restaurant and the pasta bolognese is his favorite meal there. This is a running family joke because anytime anyone asks Dwane what he wants for dinner that’s his answer every time! (the kids and Brenda have other favorites but this is his hands down)
Q: Do your kids like living in Detroit?
A: They LOVE it! They’ve both made many friends in the neighborhood and at school. They’ve been welcomed with open arms. I even got the chance to help coach my son, Zachary, with his Bloomfield Hills Little League games. (I had to add that having him coach a Bloomfield Hills Little League game was like doing karaoke with Bon Jovi, right?) Just amazing.
Q: Can you see yourself spending the rest of your career here?
A: My contract with the Pistons is for 5 years. I have this season plus 2 more left on my contract. We’ve purchased homes in other cities during my career, but this is the first time I’ve purchased a home (as opposed to renting) in the past decade. We rented for 7 years in Toronto and 3 years in Dallas. This is the first time I’ve bought a home in a city where I’m coaching since having children.
Q: What’s your favorite local spot to celebrate a win or have a team meeting?
A: Phoenicia. I can’t say enough wonderful things about the Caseys. They are a beautiful family and a breath of fresh air in our community. At the end of our conversation they said they were lucky to have landed in metro Detroit. I think it is we who are the lucky ones to have them here. Go Pistons!