Archive: May, 2009
A source with knowledge of the situation has confirmed that Eddie Jordan's deal to become the 76ers next head coach is worth $8.1 million over 3 years. The first year, when Jordan's former team the Washington Wizards must off-set anything less than $4 million, is worth $2 million. The second year is worth $3 million. The third year is worth $3.1 million.
All of the money is guaranteed.
--Kate
The Sixers have now confirmed a deal has been agreed to "in principle" with Eddie Jordan.
Here is the quote from Sixers General Manager Ed Stefanski:
"I saw first-hand the immense impact Eddie Jordan had in helping the Nets reach two NBA Finals and as the head coach in Washington, he consistently put his teams in a position to win on a nightly basis," Stefanski said. "He embodies all the qualities I was looking for in the next head coach of the Sixers and we are very excited to have him in Philadelphia."
- Poll: Is Eddie Jordan the right choice? (2256 votes)
The 76ers coaching search, now more than 2 weeks old, has been steadily expanding, contracting, then expanding again: Today was no exception.
76ers General Manager Ed Stefanski will be traveling to the 2009 NBA Draft Combine, to be held tomorrow and Friday in Chicago. The Sixers have said that Stefanski will continue conducting the coaching search from Chicago and that there is still no timetable for when Stefanski will hire a coach.
It has been confirmed that the Sixers have removed Los Angeles Lakers assistant coach Kurt Rambis from consideration. Also confirmed is that the Sixers reached out to Avery Johnson, but that it appears the situation does not suit either party, at this time. Next on the list seems to be Jeff Van Gundy, former coach of the New York Knicks and Houston Rockets who is currently working for ESPN. Nothing more than preliminary steps have been confirmed with Van Gundy, who responded to an e-mail requesting comment late last night saying, "I don't believe it's right for me to talk about jobs."
So right now, there are four confirmed candidates still in consideration: Eddie Jordan, Dwane Casey, Tom Thibodeau, and Chris Ford. Out of the running: Jay Wright, Kurt Rambis, and Avery Johnson. Stefanski has said he will be reaching out to more candidates.
Since it's still early in the day for definite news about the 76ers coaching search, here's this news, which just passed through my e-mail: In an Oct. 18 preseason game, the Sixers will play the Phoenix Suns in Monterrey, Mexico.
This game will be the NBA's second game held in Monterrey -- at Arena Monterrey -- and the 18th game in Mexico, the most held in any country outside the U.S. and Canada. The game is being called NBA Mexico Game 2009 and tickets will go on sale June 1 at www.arenamonterrey.com.
“We're thrilled about the opportunity to bring some of the NBA's most exciting teams and accomplished players to Monterrey," said NBA Senior Vice President of International Development and Partnerships Emilio Collins, in a press release. "Our fans in Mexico are some of the most passionate in the world, and this year's NBA Mexico Game is sure to provide them with an unforgettable NBA experience.”
The Sixers and General Manager Ed Stefanski announced this morning that they have completed six interviews for their vacant head coaching position. Until this release, the number was thought to be four: Eddie Jordan, Dwane Casey, Kurt Rambis, and Tom Thibodeau.
That makes the question: Who were the two candidates interviewed that weren't known? A source has confirmed that one was internal candidate Chris Ford, who has been the head coach of the Boston Celtics as well as a short stint with the Sixers. The second was Jay Wright, currently coaching the Villanova Wildcats. Villanova PR has confirmed that Stefanski reached out to Wright and that Wright said he is not interested in moving from Villanova to the Wachovia Center. A press release is expected confirming that Wright will remain at Villanova.
Here are Wright's comments:
- Poll: Would Jay Wright do a good job in the NBA? (929 votes)
The 76ers have just confirmed that 76ers General Manager Ed Stefanski interviewed Los Angeles Lakers assistant coach Kurt Rambis for the team's head coaching vacancy.
It is reported that the interview took place yesterday in Los Angeles. Today's interview with Dwane Casey also took place in L.A.
Rambis played in the NBA with the Lakers, Charlotte Hornets, and Phoenix Suns. His only stint as a head coach came during the strike-shortened 1998-99 season with the Los Angeles Lakers, Rambis finished that season 24-13 as the team's head coach. Rambis has also served as the Lakers assistant general manager.
Dwane Casey, currently an assistant coach under Rick Carlisle for the Dallas Mavericks, confirmed via e-mail that he met today with 76ers General Manager Ed Stefanski.
The Sixers said they have no comment.
Casey said "I have met with Ed and the meeting went well."
The 76ers have confirmed they will interview both Boston Celtics assistant coach Tom Thibodeau and Dallas Mavericks assistant coach Dwane Casey.
It is unclear, as of yet, when the interviews will take place.
Casey spent 11 seasons as an assistant with the Seattle Supersonics. He was a head coach for 1 1/2 seasons, coaching the Minnesota Timberwolves for the 2005-06 season and part of the 2006-07 season. His overall record in Minnesota was 53-69.
A source has confirmed that the 76ers will officially interview Eddie Jordan on Friday of this week.
- Poll: Would Eddie Jordan be a good choice? (788 votes)
Keith Pompey has been an Inquirer reporter since September 2004. He takes over the Sixers beat after covering the Temple men’s basketball team for the past three years and Temple football the past two seasons. Pompey also previously covered the Penn and Drexel men’s basketball team and Villanova football team after initially focusing on high school sports.
Pompey is a native Philadelphian and a University of Pittsburgh. Follow him on Twitter @PompeyOnSixers or reach Keith at kpompey@phillynews.com.
ABOUT MARC NARDUCCI
Marc Narducci has served in a variety of roles with the Inquirer since beginning in 1983. He has covered the 76ers as a backup and a beat writer. In addition, Narducci has covered everything from the Super Bowl to the World Series and a lot in between. Narducci also has a true passion for South Jersey scholastic sports, which he has covered for many years.
