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The Oklahoma City Thunder have promoted assistant Mark Daigneault to become the franchise’s next head coach, it was announced Wednesday.
Daigneault’s elevation to replace the late Billy Donovan completes a rapid six-year rise in the franchise, which included a five-year run as the G-League coach of the OKC Blue, where Daigneault had a winning percentage of 0.572 and three division titles.
“The opportunity to be the head coach of the Thunder is truly a special honor,” Daigneault said in a statement released by the team. “During my six years in Oklahoma City, I have developed a deep commitment to the organization and a concern for what truly is a special community that I call home. Since my first day here, my values have always been aligned with those of the organization, and I look forward to helping them continue to be lived on and off the court. “
Daigneault, 35, takes control of the Thunder within three weeks of opening training camp on December 1 with a roster that may well be evolving by the opening night of December 22.
Thunder executive vice president and general manager Sam Presti shows confidence in Daigneault’s skills to grow from what could still be a contender for the Western Conference playoffs in 2020-2021 to something which looks more like a rebuild around key young players such as Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Lu Dort and Darius Bazley. The Thunder are fortified with a possibility of 15 first-round picks and four rounds of picks between the 2020 and 2026 NBA Draft.
“We are delighted that Mark is assuming the role of head coach of the Oklahoma City Thunder,” Presti said in a statement. “He has been a selfless and effective leader within our organization since joining in 2014. Mark is a values-based leader, a lifelong learner, and someone who will help us continue to reposition our organization on and off the market. ground.
Daigneault has joined the Thunder’s coaching staff for the 2019-20 season, joining Donovan on the front of the bench in a season where the Thunder won the sixth seed in the Western Conference playoffs. . Donovan’s contract expired, which ultimately led him to accept the position of head coach of the Chicago Bulls. Daigneault was part of a week-long search in which candidates repeatedly met with Thunder officials.
Presti was excited about Daigneault’s proven track record in the Thunder organization, sources said, including connecting with players, teaching the game, and the kind of short- and long-term adjustments that are critical to a franchise that is emerging from the playoff challenge. and towards a younger and scalable list. In his time as a G League coach, he was 143-107 with four playoff appearances and eight players called up to NBA rosters, including four players signed for bilateral deals, last season. .
“The amount of head coach experience and diverse experiences throughout his tenure with the Blues is rare for a person his age,” Presti said in his statement. “He has also demonstrated his ability to empower the players and staff he works with, and we are confident that he will help us continue to modernize our approach as an organization in an ever-changing industry.”
Presti hired Daigneault from the University of Florida in 2014 – a year before attracting Donovan from the Gators to become the Thunder’s head coach. Daigneault had been an assistant at Florida and at the College of the Holy Cross. He graduated from the University of Connecticut in 2007, where he had served as director of students under Hall of Fame coach Jim Calhoun.
ESPN NBA reporter Royce Young contributed to this report.
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