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After a 2-5 start, the Brooklyn Nets decided to move on from Steve Nash on Tuesday and named assistant coach Jacque Vaughn as the interim head coach. Vaughn has been an assistant under Nash for the past three seasons.
It's no secret that if the Nets started the season slowly, coach Steve Nash could have lost his job.
If Vaughn can turn the season around, he may have a chance at being the full-time coach of the team. According to ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski, the team may inquire about the availability of suspended Boston Celtics coach Ime Udoka and former Utah Jazz coach Quin Snyder.
Who is Jacque Vaughn?
Jacque Vaughn has been in the NBA since 1997. He was drafted out of Kansas. Vaughn played point guard for five teams over his 12-year playing career. He was a member of the 2007 NBA champions San Antonio Spurs. After retiring as a player, Vaughn began as an assistant for the Spurs in 2010.
Vaughn does have experience as a head coach in the NBA. He coached the Orlando Magic for three seasons between 2012 and 2015. He failed to make the playoffs in any of those seasons. His highest win total came in his second season when the team won 23 games. He did get another shot at coaching with the Brooklyn Nets.
Jacque Vaughn was promoted to interim coach of the Brooklyn Nets in the 2019-20 season following coach Kenny Atkinson’s mid-season departure. He guided the team to a 10-7 record during the final games of the regular season, which included a 5-3 record in the NBA bubble.
A strong finish allowed the team to qualify for the playoffs. The team was swept 4-0 by the Toronto Raptors in the first round of the playoffs.
The Nets hired Steve Nash the following season and Vaughn stayed on as an assistant with the team.
What's next for the Brooklyn Nets?
The Brooklyn Nets have struggled this season and there were issues with the team coming into the season. Kevin Durant demanded a trade during the offseason. One of the conditions for his return was that both coach Nash and general manager Sean Marks be fired. That did not happen, but there had to be tension after the request.
The team also did not offer Kyrie Irving an extension. Since he couldn't find a long-term deal elsewhere, Irving opted into his player option. Irving declined the COVID-19 vaccination last year, which resulted in him being a part-time player. He has already made headlines off the court this season.
As if all these distractions weren't enough, the Brooklyn Nets still had to deal with Ben Simmons. The point guard, who they traded James Harden for last season, has not shown any signs of his former All-Star self.
Jacque Vaughn will have a lot to deal with to try to get this team back on track. Owner Joe Tsai could decide to blow it all up before the trade deadline or try to make the most out of the team that is here. A lot will be on Vaughn’s shoulder if he hopes to keep the job and become a permanent head coach.
