Nets make decision at head coach, won’t hire suspended coach Ime Udoka despite rumors
Jacque Vaughn is 2-2 since taking over for Steve Nash
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}In a season where nothing has gone smoothly, the Brooklyn Nets will at least have a consistent message coming from the top for the rest of the year.
The Nets named Jacque Vaughn head coach on Wednesday after parting ways with Steve Nash just seven games into the regular season.
Head coach Steve Nash of the Brooklyn Nets reacts during the Dallas Mavericks game at Barclays Center on Oct. 27, 2022 in Brooklyn. (Sarah Stier/Getty Images)
After Nash's departure, Vaughn was named interim head coach, going 2-2 as acting head coach.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}NICK CANNON SAYS NETS ARE ‘DEHUMANIZING’ KYRIE IRVING WITH SIX-STEP LIST TO REJOIN TEAM
"Jacque’s basketball acumen, competitiveness and intimate knowledge of our team and organization make him the clear-cut best person to lead our group moving forward," Nets general manager Sean Marks said in a statement. "He has a proven ability to get the best out of our players, hold them accountable and play a cohesive, team-first style of basketball."
Interim head coach Jacque Vaughn of the Brooklyn Nets talks with Kevin Durant at Spectrum Center on Nov. 5, 2022, in Charlotte, North Carolina. (Jacob Kupferman/Getty Images)
The hiring of Vaughn comes days after Brooklyn was rumored to be hiring suspended Boston Celtics head coach Ime Udoka.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}The Celtics granted Brooklyn permission to speak to Udoka, and the Nets planned to hire him, according to a report last week from The Athletic.
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The Celtics suspended Udoka for the entire 2022-2023 NBA season for "violations of team policies." He reportedly had a consensual relationship with a female staffer within the Celtics organization.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}Celtics head coach Ime Udoka during Game 3 of the NBA Finals on June 8, 2022, at the TD Garden in Boston. (Jesse D. Garrabrant/NBAE via Getty Images)
According to NBA Insider Marc Stein, "strong voices" urged Brooklyn owner Joe Tsai not to hire Udoka considering the turmoil within the organization.
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Brooklyn suspended Kyrie Irving last Thursday after the guard "refused to unequivocally say he has no antisemitic beliefs, nor acknowledge specific hateful material" from an antisemitic film he shared on social media.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}Brooklyn is 4-7 on the season, and they play the New York Knicks Wednesday night.