Brooklyn Nets appoint new head coach: Who is Jacque Vaughn and what is his net worth and coaching credentials?
The Brooklyn Nets officially found their head coach Wednesday with the hiring of Jacque Vaughn.
Vaughn has been serving as the team's interim head coach since the dismissal of former head coach Steve Nash on November 1. It's been a long journey to this position for Vaughn, who has been an assistant with the Nets for the last seven seasons.
According to a report from ESPN NBA insider Adrian Wojnarowski, Jacque Vaughn's promotion also includes a deal through the 2023-24 season. Vaughn has had the Nets trending in the right direction after a slow start to the season. The team is currently 2-2 in their last four games.
Jacque Vaughn’s promotion to Brooklyn Nets coach comes with a deal through the 2023-2024 season, sources tell ESPN.
Brooklyn Nets head coach: Jacque Vaughn
The Brooklyn Nets have been on a rollercoaster of controversies throughout the opening months of NBA play. After the hiring of Jacque Vaughn, the hope is that some normalcy can come to the team.
After former head coach Steve Nash was dismissed, reports speculated that the Nets were already eyeing a replacement. The rumored coach is Ime Udoka, who is currently suspended by the Boston Celtics for "violations of team policies." During that process, Brooklyn pivoted to name Vaughn as the interim head coach.
At the same time, Brooklyn found itself dealing with a controversy involving starting point guard Kyrie Irving. With all of that going on, the Nets still need to have a way to focus on winning games.
The Brooklyn Nets have named Jacque Vaughn as head coach. https://t.co/sgQZ4OtFNA
When Nash left the team, Brooklyn found itself 2-5 on the season. Brooklyn has since had a pair of impressive road victories. They defeated the Washington Wizards and Charlotte Hornets before losing by two points on Monday night to the Dallas Mavericks.
Vaughn has spent plenty of time in the NBA on the basketball court and as a coach. He went on to play for 12 years in the NBA for a total of five different organizations. This will not be the first time that Jacque Vaughn will be a head coach as well.
He was hired in 2012 to be the head coach of the Orlando Magic. After three seasons and no playoff appearances, Vaughn was let go by the organization. Eventually, Vaughn was brought in as an assistant coach with the Nets.
In 2019-20 when former Nets head coach Kenny Atkinson stepped down midway through the season, Vaughn was again the man in charge. He went on to finish the season 7-3 in 10 games. Vaughn currently has a combined record of 67-163 as a head coach. The difference with this opportunity is that it will be the most talented roster he's ever had in his coaching career.
The key question is whether or not Vaughn can get the team back on the right track. The Brooklyn Nets are expected to take on the New York Knicks on Wednesday night. They will then head to the West Coast for the beginning of a four-game road trip.