Warriors Hire New Head Coach
The Golden State Warriors have turned to the broadcast booth for their next head coach.
Mark Jackson, a 17-year NBA veteran and current ABC/ESPN NBA analyst, has been named the next coach of the Golden State Warriors. A formal announcement introducing Jackson is expected later this week.
Although the team has not disclosed the financial terms of the deal, Yahoo! Sports is reporting that Jackson will get a three-year, $6 million contract with a team option for a fourth year. “I am really elated about this opportunity and I’m looking forward to the challenge of building the Warriors into a perennial contender,” Jackson said in a statement released by the organization.
The move can be called unconventional as Jackson has never coached or been an assistant. But it is another step in rebuilding the franchise under the vision of co-owners Joe Lacob and Peter Guber, which includes the recent hiring of NBA legend Jerry West as a team adviser. “He epitomized leadership as a player in this league for 17 seasons and we think that characteristic _ and many other positive traits _ will translate very well into his coaching duties with our young team,” said Lacob in a statement about the hiring.
Jackson played 17 years a point guard in the NBA for seven different teams. He was named Rookie of the Year in 1988 and ranks third on the NBA’s all-time assists list.
Photo Credit: Golden State Warriors
