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UPDATE: An interesting nugget was released after Nash was hired by the Nets. Per Marc Stein of The New York Times, the Hall of Fame PG wanted to bring in his pal Dirk Nowitzki to be on the sidelines with him as an assistant. It’s too bad Dirk wasn’t interested in something full-time in the NBA at this time.
New Nets coach Steve Nash sounded out his longtime former teammate and close friend Dirk Nowitzki to gauge his interest in coming to Brooklyn as an assistant coach, @NYTSports has learned, but Nowitzki is not looking to return to the game full-time so early in his retirement
— Marc Stein (@TheSteinLine) September 3, 2020
UPDATE: The team announced at 9:52 a.m. ET that they are in fact hiring Steve Nash to become their next head coach. Jacque Vaughn will stay on as Nash’s lead assistant and become the best compensated assistant coach in the league, per Woj.
The Brooklyn Nets have decided on their next head coach and it’s a bit of shocker. Hall of Fame guard Steve Nash is taking over and will sign a four-year deal, according to ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski.
The Nets fired Kenny Atkinson midway through the bubble season, and moved Jacque Vaughn into the interim head coach role. The team pivoted to its coaching search after being eliminated from the bubble, and an early rumor had them attempting to pursue Gregg Popovich. The team formally interview Vaughn for the role and he reportedly impressed ownership.
Nash has no experience as a head coach, but has one notable bit of experience. He served as a consultant with the Golden State Warriors starting in 2015, and ESPN reports he “[forged] a strong relationship with Nets star Kevin Durant.”
ESPN’s report claims his “history of peerless leadership, basketball IQ and playing innovation” are reasons the Nets coveted Nash. ESPN claims the more experienced Vaughn was the second choice if Nash turned down the job.