April 30th, 2008

A Tarheel in Charge

It came as no surprise Saturday when Sam Vincent was fired as the Bobcats head coach. In his single season he went 32-50 and was unable to make it anywhere close into the NBA playoffs. Vincent entered the job last spring confident, saying he’d be “incredibly discouraged and disappointed” if the franchise didn’t reach the playoffs. And that is exactly what we all were, disappointed, and it showed. The Bobcats were ranked 24th out of 30 NBA teams in attendance this season. The struggling Bobcats needed a boost and that’s exactly what part owner Michael Jordan is planning on doing.

The Charlotte Bobcats have a Hall of Fame Coach. Larry Brown has decided to accept the Bobcats’ offer to become their new head coach. Michael Jordan will give his fellow Tarheel alum a chance to redeem himself. In turn, Brown will try to salvage Jordan’s sinking reputation as an executive. The 67-year-old Brown will be taking over his ninth NBA team and the 1st job since a messy exit from a struggling New York Knicks in 2006. Brown is one of five NBA coaches that have won over a 1,000 games, and 17 of his 22 teams have reached the NBA playoffs. YES! THE PLAYOFFS! It seems so far away. Maybe, just maybe, not anymore.

Larry Brown will be the third head coach in the franchise history.

"Few coaches in this league carry the type of basketball resume that Larry Brown offers. He is one of the great coaches of our game and we are pleased to have him as part of our organization," Bobcats Managing Member of Basketball Operations Michael Jordan said.

Brown won the NBA Championship with the Detroit Pistons in 2004 and the NCAA title with Kansas in 1988. He was inducted into the NBA Hall of Fame in 2002. He resigned last week as executive vice president of the Philadelphia 76ers to pursue coaching positions.