Mike Woodson has accepted an offer to become the Atlanta Hawks' new head coach, ESPN.com has learned.


An official announcement could come as soon as Tuesday or Wednesday, according to league sources.


"We think it's a good situation for us and a good situation for him,'' Hawks general manager Billy Knight told The Atlanta Journal-Constitution on Monday. He did not give details of the contract.


ESPN.com reported Friday that Woodson, a Detroit Pistons assistant, was offered the job ahead of Indiana Pacers assistant coach Mike Brown.


Dallas assistant Del Harris, former Phoenix coach John MacLeod, Seattle associate head coach Dwayne Case and former Cleveland, Atlanta coach Mike Fratello also were candidates.


Knight said he also spoke with TNT studio analyst Kenny Smith about the job.


Hawks spokesman Arthur Triche told The Associated Press on Monday night that no contract had been signed, and there would be no announcement until one was.


"Nothing is planned as of tomorrow," Triche said. "I think it will be later in the week."


Woodson was among the hottest coaching candidates in the NBA's assistant ranks. Hawks general manager Billy Knight acknowledged early last week that he planned to extend a three- or four-year offer to a coach, signaling that Woodson was Atlanta's top candidate.


It's believed that only a long-term deal could lure Woodson away from Detroit, where he serves as Larry Brown's lead assistant and ranks as a possible down-the-road successor for Brown with the newly crowned NBA champions.

I like the move, one of the few smart things the Hawks have done. Bring in an assistant from a winning team, and don't go the college ranks. Well done.

I like this, too. I didn't want a college coach.