The Dallas Mavericks have been one of the top defenses in the league since the All-Star break, and the man in charge of their schemes is St. Paul native Sean Sweeney. He is head coach Jason Kidd’s lead assistant.

Game 1 of the Western Conference Finals pitting Dallas vs. the Timberwolves is Wednesday night at 7:30 p.m.

Sweeney graduated from the University of St. Thomas (St. Paul, Minn.) in 2006, where he was a three-year starter, captain, and All-Conference guard. He graduated high school from Cretin-Derham Hall, and was teammates with the Raiders with MLB Hall of Famer Joe Mauer.

Our Darren ‘Doogie’ Wolfson spoke with Sweeney, via Zoom.

***Click the video box above to watch our conversation with Sweeney***

Sweeney has interviewed for head coaching jobs, including the Utah Jazz. It seems to be a matter of when, not if, he’ll get a chance to lead a team. In the meantime, he has great synergy with Kidd. They worked together with the Brooklyn Nets and Milwaukee Bucks before Dallas.

Sweeney has worked for the Detroit Pistons.