Nets assistant Jacque Vaughn has decided to withdraw his name from coaching vacancies, citing family reasons, according to Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN.
Vaughn had been considered the leading candidate for the Pelicans vacancy, per multiple reports. He instead will return to the Nets next season, Wojnarowski reported.
The Pelicans reportedly have interviewed both Vaughn and Bucks assistant Charles Lee as they seek a replacement for Stan Van Gundy.
Whoever is hired will serve as Zion Williamson‘s third head coach in his three pro seasons. Fellow Pelicans forward Brandon Ingram will have also played for three coaches in three years.
Vaughn, 46, has been an assistant with the Nets since 2016, serving as the interim coach in March 2020 until the end of last season. He served as coach of the Magic from 2012-15, compiling a 65-161 record. The Nets went 7-3 under Vaughn before being swept in the first round of the playoffs.
ESPN’s Brian Windhorst pointed to Vaughn as the frontrunner for the Pelicans job last week.
“I’m not saying he’s going to get his job because Charles Lee on the Bucks’ staff is also going to be a strong candidate,” Windhorst said on his podcast.
“The word coming out of Chicago at the draft combine is that Jacque Vaughn, who is close to (Pelicans GM) Trajan Langdon. … Jacque Vaughn is going to get a real serious look and has interviewed I believe with the Pelicans.”
Looking for the latest NBA Insider News & Rumors?
Be sure to follow Hoops Wire on TWITTER and FACEBOOK for breaking NBA News and Rumors for all 32 teams!
