The Sacramento Kings have finally ended their search for a new head coach by hiring former Memphis Grizzlies coach Dave Joerger today.
It was reported today by Adrian Wojnarowski (as well as many other sources) that the Kings organization and Joerger have agreed on a three-year contract that is worth around 4 million dollars annually. There is also a team option available for Joerger to coach for the fourth year (Yahoo Sports).
Joerger will sign three-year deal -- with a team option for 4th -- paying him $4M per year. Contract coming, possible news conference today.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) May 9, 2016
Sources confirm Dave Joerger to the Kings is a done deal.
— Aaron Bruski (@aaronbruski) May 9, 2016
Based on his resume, Joerger has had an impressive coaching career so far at only 42 years of age. In his previous three seasons with the Memphis Grizzlies, Joerger has earned a record of 147-99 (59.8%) while clinching a playoff berth in all three season he has coached.
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Although being eliminated from the first round of the playoffs this season, this may have been Joerger’s best season yet as he led a team that was decimated by injuries to the postseason with a record of 42-40.
Overall, it seems like the patience of the Kings front office has paid off as they landed a coach that is certainly qualified to lead an NBA team. A lot of fans in the Sacramento Kings community seem ecstatic by the hire too and have shown their emotions through rapturous tweets on Twitter. Here are some posts that have been gathered throughout the NBA community.
In the end, I would say Vlade's coaching search has been a success.
— Carmichael Dave (@CarmichaelDave) May 9, 2016
Boom. Great hire for the Kings. https://t.co/D2qkQJu5Wi
— Danny Leroux (@DannyLeroux) May 9, 2016
Have to give credit to Vlade Divac here. A 3+ week coaching search results in a big get. Options weren't as sexy 2 weeks in.
— Sean Cunningham (@SeanCunningham) May 9, 2016
Dave Joerger has the ability to connect with DeMarcus Cousins in a meaningful way that has not been seen since Michael Malone was w/ #Kings.
— Ethan (@Ethan_Norof) May 9, 2016
After the kickoff, Memphis fumbles the Joerger Ball. Kings take over. 1st and Goal on the 1 yard line.
— Dave Lack (@DaveLack) May 9, 2016
Vlade scores https://t.co/3mRf7P9Nxt
The Ranadive era hasn’t been smooth so far as Kings fans originally expected. In these last three seasons (when Vivek Ranadive became the majority owner of the Kings) the Kings have earned a record of 90-156 as a team, have gone through 3 different head coaches (excluding Joerger), and have not been able to break their notorious streak of missing the playoffs since 2006.
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Although times have been dark in the eyes of Kings fans, the hiring of Joerger seems to have shined some light in the King’s community at the moment. Hopefully, for the Kings organization and their fans the light is strong enough to last when Spring comes around again.