http://www.nba.com/warriors/news/warriors_name_mark_jackson_head_coach_060611.html
June 6, 2011
Warriors Name Mark Jackson Head Coach
17-Year NBA Veteran Becomes 24th Head Coach In Franchise History
The Golden State Warriors have named Mark Jackson, a 17-year NBA veteran
as a player and current ABC broadcaster, as the team’s new head coach,
it was announced today. Jackson becomes the 24th head coach in
franchise history and the 19th since the team moved to the West Coast in
1962. Per team policy, terms of the agreement were not announced.
Jackson, 46, played for seven organizations – New York (twice), the L.A.
Clippers, Indiana (twice), Denver, Toronto, Utah and Houston – during
his highly-successful 17-year NBA career and helped guide his teams to
the playoffs in 14 of those 17 seasons. A native of Brooklyn, New York,
he ranks third on the NBA’s all-time assists list (10,334) – trailing
only John Stockton and Jason Kidd – and was named a member of the
Eastern Conference All-Star team in 1989. Jackson was originally
selected by the New York Knicks in the first round of the 1987 NBA Draft
(18th overall) and promptly captured NBA Rookie of the Year honors at
the conclusion of the 1987-88 campaign. He established a still-standing
NBA record for assists by a rookie in a single season (868) and played
for five Hall of Fame coaches during his collegiate and professional
careers (Lou Carnesecca, Lenny Wilkens, Jerry Sloan, Pat Riley and Larry
Brown).
“After an extensive search and a great deal of consideration, we have
come to the conclusion that Mark Jackson is the best coach for this
team,” said Warriors’ General Manager Larry Riley. “He will bring a
youthful and fresh approach to our team and the fact that he enjoyed a
stellar playing career, where he served most of that time as the leader
of some very successful teams, will prove invaluable in the long run.
We were looking for a coach with leadership ability and a strong
personality and believe Mark possesses those qualities. He’s very well
respected in NBA circles, is a consummate professional and his knowledge
and background will be an incredible asset for our team and
organization.”
“We are tremendously excited about the addition of Mark Jackson as our
new head coach,” said Warriors’ Owner Joe Lacob. “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. He was a leader and a
winner both on and off the floor in this league and we’re convinced
that he is the right person to guide this team into the future and help
us achieve the success that we are striving for as an organization.”
“I am really elated about this opportunity and I’m looking forward to
the challenge of building the Warriors into a perennial contender,” said
Jackson. “I cannot tell you how impressed I was with the organization
during our meetings, beginning at the top with Joe Lacob and, of course,
with Larry Riley, Bob Myers and Jerry West. I have sensed that Joe is
committed to winning and building a team and a culture the right way. I
think we all witnessed that with some of the recent front office
additions as well and some of the other positive things that have been
done in recent months. This is an incredible opportunity and I am
honored and thank God that I have been chosen to be the next coach of
the Warriors. The Bay Area has always had some of the best fans in the
NBA and I look forward to being a part of that incredible atmosphere at
Oracle Arena, along with my wife, my kids and my church family, who are
thrilled as well.”
Jackson, who will assume his new duties at the conclusion of the NBA
Finals, appeared in 131 playoff games during his career, including 23
with the Indiana Pacers in 2000, when he was a member of the Eastern
Conference Champions (played L.A. Lakers in the NBA Finals).
Additionally, he led the NBA in assists during the 1996-97 campaign
(11.4 apg).
Jackson will be introduced to the Bay Area media later this week.