Hall of Fame point guard Steve Nash will be the next head coach for Brooklyn Nets. The team made the news official on Thursday.
Nash will succeed Kenny Atkinson, who was fired midway through the 2019/20 NBA season. Jacque Vaughn, who served as interim coach following Atkinson’s departure, will remain on the coaching staff as lead assistant.
Since retiring in 2015, Nash worked in advisory roles for Golden State Warriors and Canada’s national basketball team, but he doesn’t have coaching experience. Still, the Nets made an aggressive bid to lure him, counting on his reputation as a leader and innovator.
“After meeting with a number of highly accomplished coaching candidates from diverse backgrounds, we knew we had a difficult decision to make,” said Nets’ general manager Sean Marks in a statement. “In Steve we see a leader, communicator and mentor who will garner the respect of our players. I have had the privilege to know Steve for many years. “
This wasn’t the first time Nash was pursued by NBA teams, and he reportedly received offers ranging from head coaching duties to roles in front-office. The 46-year-old Hall of Famer resisted to make this step in the past, but couldn’t pass on the opportunity to coach a talented Nets team.
“Coaching is something I knew I wanted to pursue when the time was right, and I am humbled to be able to work with the outstanding group of players and staff we have here in Brooklyn,” said Nash after the news was made official.
Steve Nash played with Phoenix Suns, Dallas Mavericks, and Los Angeles Lakers during his 18 years in the NBA. He won consecutive NBA MVP awards in 2005 and 2006 while earning eight All-Star call-ups. Nash was inducted into the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame in 2018.
