Updated: July 6, 2010, 10:53 PM ETSources: Del Negro to coach Clippers By Kevin Arnovitz ESPN.com The Los Angeles Clippers have selected Vinny Del Negro as their new head coach, sources close to the situation said on Tuesday. Del Negro takes over a team that went 29-63 last season under Mike Dunleavy, who was fired in February, then interim replacement Kim Hughes. The Clippers brought in their finalists for interviews twice over the past two weeks. Along with Del Negro, the organization gave Dallas Mavericks assistant and former Minnesota Timberwolves head coach Dwane Casey a close look. Del Negro and Casey were the two finalists for the Chicago job two years ago. Again, on this occasion, Del Negro got the nod. For the past two seasons, the 43-year-old Del Negro served as Chicago's head coach, where he strung together consecutive 41-41 seasons along with two first-round playoff appearances before being fired on May 3. Prior to his stint on the Bulls' bench, Del Negro moved from the Suns' broadcast booth to spend two seasons in the Phoenix Suns front office, first as director of player personnel and then as assistant general manager. The Clippers are undergoing a rapid transformation both in the front the office and in the locker room. General manager Neil Olshey will begin his first full season as the club's general manager. The team will feature at least three rookies -- 2009 No. 1 overall pick Blake Griffin, Wake Forest forward Al-Farouq Aminu and Kentucky guard Eric Bledsoe. The only two players on the current Clippers roster older than 21 are Baron Davis and Chris Kaman. Olshey and team president Andy Roeser met with LeBron James in Cleveland last Friday. The Clippers are one of only a few NBA teams that have sufficient flexibility under the salary cap to offer a maximum contract to James or another marquee free agent. Widely considered long shots to land James or one of the other big names, the Clippers are more likely to proceed into the free agency season with an eye toward building around their young core. Kevin Arnovitz is an NBA contributor to ESPN.com. http://sports.espn.go.com/chicago/nba/news/story?id=5359558
Stupid choice, but since he is already being paid by the Bulls, it make sense. Cheap to the end, for the Clippers, it's always about the money...
i have mixed feelings about Del Negro. while he had some success, not sure he has the right mentality to lead a team to a championship. but this is the clippers we`re talking about. so a good coach for a some young talent there.
I think they are just as stupid as the Bulls. Can someone logically explain to me why he is a better choice than Dwayne Casey? There must be something negative about Casey that isn't widely known because, to me, it's a no-brainer he's better than Vinny.
Why? I'm no coaching expert, but why exactly is Del Negro looked upon unfavorably by many? It's not like the Bulls underachieved with him - they have/had average talent in an increasingly more competitive Eastern Conference, and finished 41-41. Now they didn't overachiever and I'd rather see what a guy like Tibadeux can do, so can't blame the Bulls there, but don't exactly see why Del Negro couldn't be a successful coach of a talented team.
Good for Vinny. I felt he was wrongfully let go in Chicago and I also thought he'd have a difficult time finding another head coaching gig. He seems like he means well and he made the playoffs 2 years in a row with a very young team which is quite an accomplishment within itself.
well this goes with their M.O. of saving money. he was probably the cheapest guy on the market with any head coaching experience.
Typical Clippers hire. Not only is it a bad hire, but he comes cheap. The fact that he only lasted one season (and a playoff season at that!) as coach of the Bulls should tell you all you need to know. Even the worst of coaches tend to get more than one season. He was overwhelmed from the start. Maybe having the one season under his belt will help, but I have my doubts.
