The Nets will retain Jacque Vaughn as head coach, the team announced in a press release. Vaughn had been serving as interim coach since Steve Nash was fired on Nov. 1.
The Brooklyn Nets have named Jacque Vaughn as head coach. pic.twitter.com/sgQZ4OtFNA
— Brooklyn Nets (@BrooklynNets) November 9, 2022
“Jacque’s basketball acumen, competitiveness and intimate knowledge of our team and organization make him the clear-cut best person to lead our group moving forward,” GM Sean Marks said in a statement. “He has a proven ability to get the best out of our players, hold them accountable and play a cohesive, team-first style of basketball.”
The Nets have gone 2-2 (entering Wednesday) under Vaughn, who has been without suspended star Kyrie Irving. Vaughn, 47, coached the Nets to a 7-3 record on an interim basis during the 2019-20 season.
The hiring brings an end to the reports that the Nets were close to finalizing an agreement with Celtics coach Ime Udoka, suspended for the season after what the team called an inappropriate relationship with a female employee.
Udoka also sent multiple inappropriate messages to Celtics female employees, sources told NetsDaily.
Per multiple reports, the Celtics are willing to allow Udoka to leave if he were to find another job. Last week, both ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski and The Athletic’s Shams Charania reported that the Nets and Udoka were putting the final touches on a deal.
But there were some “strong voices” telling team owner Joe Tsai not to make the move, per Marc Stein of the Stein Line. That followed several reports, including one of Ethan Strauss of Substack, that indicated Udoka could be done as a head coach in the NBA.
Vaughn was head coach of the Magic from 2012-15. He enters Wednesday night with an overall head-coaching record of 67-163.
Nets GM Sean Marks says Jacque Vaughn is the ‘clear-cut best person to lead our group moving forward.’ Nets named Vaughn permanent head coach today: pic.twitter.com/pbSPIt2qoa
— Ian Begley (@IanBegley) November 9, 2022
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