The embattled Nets have decided to make a coaching change after their 2-5 start. Steve Nash is being replaced as head coach, with ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski and Shams Charania of The Athletic reporting that Nash and the team have agreed to part ways (Twitter links).
“We want to thank Steve for everything he brought to our franchise over the past two-plus seasons,” general manager Sean Marks said in a press release announcing the move. “Since becoming head coach, Steve was faced with a number of unprecedented challenges, and we are sincerely grateful for his leadership, patience and humility throughout his tenure. Personally, this was an immensely difficult decision; however, after much deliberation and evaluation of how the season has begun, we agreed that a change is necessary at this time. We wish Steve, Lilla and their family all the best in the future.”
Assistant coach Jacque Vaughn will take over as acting head coach for tonight’s game against the Bulls, tweets Brian Lewis of The New York Post. Vaughn also served as the team’s interim coach when Kenny Atkinson was fired in 2020, and he was widely considered to be the favorite to become the permanent head coach before the team opted for Nash.
The Nets are expected to consider suspended Celtics head coach Ime Udoka and former Jazz head coach Quin Snyder, according to Wojnarowski (Twitter link). He adds that Boston is willing to part with Udoka if he receives an offer. Brooklyn’s front office has “quietly done due diligence” on the circumstances that led to Udoka’s suspension, reports Chris Mannix of Sports Illustrated (Twitter link).
[UPDATE: Nets Plan To Hire Ime Udoka As Head Coach]
Nash’s status became an issue this summer amid Kevin Durant‘s trade request. In a meeting with team owner Joe Tsai to try to resolve their differences, Durant reportedly expressed a lack of confidence in Nash and Marks and asked for them both to be dismissed.
Nash attempted to smooth things over with Durant and told reporters at media day that their relationship was solid. However, the team’s slow start led to a growing realization that some type of change had to be made, and management decided to start with the head coach.
Nash tweeted out a statement thanking Tsai and Marks for the chance to coach the team and called it “an amazing experience with many challenges that I’m incredibly grateful for.”
“It was a pleasure to work with the performance team, front office and players everyday,” Nash wrote. “I’m especially grateful to my coaching staff and video room who are a talented group with so much character and professionalism.”
Nash compiled a 94-67 record in two-plus seasons with Brooklyn, but he was only able to win one playoff series. The Nets were swept out of the playoffs by the Celtics in the first round last season.
Steve wasn’t the problem, Kyrie is the problem. So is Durant and Simmons, but mostly Kyrie.
Really, both average over 25 per .Simmons was a head case before. Nash has been in over his head since day one.
Nash isn’t the problem. Nets are the east coast version of the LA Lakers. Aging stars, huge ego, one player controls the organization and not the floor, and last, owners desperate for a championship and buying players without worrying about chemistry.
This is like firing the pilot because the plane is delayed for mechanical trouble!
You’re right, but I also don’t think Nash is a good head coach from a tactical/on-court perspective. He’s never done anything that’s shown me he has promise from the sideline.
The team quit on him because of the negative leadership of the star players. I know that they are “professionals” but you can only put up with so much sh*t before it affects your game or your opinion of the coach. I don’t know if Nash is a good coach or not but should probably find an assistant job somewhere.
link to twitter.com
I knew it was a matter of time but I didn’t expect it to happen after a win. The thing about that win, though, is that they just couldn’t put the Pacers away despite leading by 24 at one point.
A merciful ending for Nash. His blood pressure must’ve been very high
“Jeez, what TOOK you so long??!!??”
– Steve Nash
Who is going to want to come coach this hot mess. Is Vaughn getting a second interim tag?
Probably, I believe they made him the highest paid assistant in the league when they kept him on after hiring Nash.
“I no longer have a manager. I can’t be managed. – Kanye.” -The Nets.
Such a ridiculous situation.
Durant demands Nash is fired. Nets refuse. Nets then fire Nash after 7 games.
Does anyone in Brooklyn have a clue?
Udoka is praying for this job – still has his condo next to the bridge.
#ScaredStraight
Curtis, the answer to your question would be: no.
Now trade Kyrie [for picks] and the Nets might have a chance to do more than qualify for the play-in.
Vogel has been waiting in the wings since August. The Nets need an Eastern style coach.
Nash would be an ideal coach for the Thunder.
Way more his style. He was too bottled up in NJ.
You can cross Mark Jackson off the list. I seriously believe his religious beliefs with clash with Kyrie Irving.
Mark Jackson has been blackballed and it’s mostly his own fault. He won’t coach again.
Jeff Van Gundy
Poor Nash. Some owners pays some of these Prima-Donnas players this ridiculous amount of money and now you are creating a problem for themselves, for the team, and for the fans that support them teams! It’s utterly ridiculous but sad situation…
Nash isn’t the problem. Honestly, the firing is probably the best thing for him though. He doesn’t have to deal with that dysfunctional circus anymore, and maybe one day he’ll get another chance somewhere that has a single ounce of sanity in the building
Yeah,the problem are the divas..you know who i meant
I really want to see Silas gone in Houston and Nash coming in. I’d love to see what Nash can do with these kids. Nash was also a defensive monster and maybe he can insert that into Green, KPJ, Sengun, Smith, and others. I think Nash could do very well in Houston because Silas isn’t the answer
Finally dude makes zero adjustments doesn’t have a game plan besides give the ball to Kd and Kyrie bad timeout management should have happen after game 4 of Boston wonder who replaces him will Vaughn get the intern tag again Phil Handy? Ime Udoka? Quinn Synder? Jeff Van Gudy? Mark Jackson? Vogel? Mike D’Antoni? Igor? Cassell? Nets moving in the right direction finally listening to KD! Marks next?
“…finally listening to KD!” That’s funny.
It was mutual for sure. Nash can’t coach so Nets wanted out. Nash also didn’t want to be around an ignorant clown like Kyrie so he wanted out. Good for both.
Nash was just a coach in name. All the players felt they were the real ones in charge and that there’s no need for a coach. I hope whoever they hire can get it through their superstar heads they are not in charge of the team unless they want coach responsibilities too.
“Stay far from timid, only make moves when your heart’s in it, and live the phrase ‘sky’s the limit.’” – Biggie Smalls
Only Nash had his heart in it. Other ones who matter got nothing but chatter ……..
BronGM wannabees who don’t get what a team is about……
Bklyn Knows ……..
This mess needs a young Larry Brown, or young Pops.
So all the geniuses who said KD and Kyrie dissed the Knicks. Where You at. espn
e (essentially), s (social), p (protagonists), n (nons).
Don’t know S&$1
Ime Udoka is a way better coach than Steve Nash and they really need to hire him. He did a great job with the Boston Celtics. Jacque Vaughn is just a assistant coach not a head coach.
Steve Nash should try later on down the road as a shooting coach. He will be great in that role. But being a head coach he’s terrible.
I don’t like coaches like Steve Nash and Mike D’Antoni because they only care about offense and don’t care nothing about defense.
Niiiice. Let the inmates run the asylum.
I say just let KD be a player/head coach/GM and Kyrie can be his player/assistant coach and see where that gets them.
Marks should just let Vaughn coach the team the balance of the season. Committing long term to another coach makes no sense right now. Udoka would help draw attention away from the players, true, but only at the price of adding to the drama overall.
I’m happy for Nash. Getting away from this clown show is good for his mental and spiritual health. Get back to the consulting gig with the Warriors.
How do you coach a 30 year old millionaire to not be anti-Semitic and to focus on basketball? Good luck, Ime.
Dont feel bad for Nash. He still made $25M for 2+ yrs of work…. He’s laughing his way to the bank and will go back to his passion in soccer …
Are coaches contracts guaranteed in the NBA? If so, what do the Nets still owe to Nash? Thanks in advance!
They are and Nash has a year left on his contract after this one. But it doesn’t affect the salary cap so it’s no big deal for them.
Thank you! I appreciate the information – couldn’t find it in any of the news stories.
Primo called Nets and wants an interview with Udoka. They can literally HANG together …..
The Brooklyn Nets” braintrust” probably figure they might as well go all the way. To the bottom. Pick up all the leftovers & not wanted. Why not? They’ve lost a ton of respect already. So hire Ime Udoka as coach & pick up exposed Joshua Primo as a player. It will just be needed distraction, not quite sure it can be called “sportswashing” though.
Go Celtics!
Steve Nash was/is a terrible head coach. I doubt he coaches in the #1 seat for a while. He could be a good rehab, or shooting coach maybe. When you are better than a guy that you played against, and that guy becomes coach? There is a level of team agreement required. Its primarily because players make 40+, and coaches make 10+. (Its cheaper for a team to try another coach) If Curry didn’t agree with Kerr? Kerr would be gone. He isn’t a very good coach, never has been.
His heart was never in it.
Huh… maybe Nash is Jewish?