A tumultuous season that featured the firing of one Hall of Famer and the forced departures of two future ones somehow has resulted in long-term security for Nets coach Jacque Vaughn.
Vaughn has run Brooklyn’s bench since Steve Nash was fired Nov. 1, and through the blockbuster trades of Kyrie Irving and Kevin Durant this month. The Nets announced Tuesday that Vaughn was signed to a multiyear contract extension, and though terms were not disclosed, ESPN reported the deal is through the 2026-27 season.
Vaughn has posted a 32-19 record since taking over for Nash following a 2-5 start — good for fifth place for now in the Eastern Conference — including a key win over Miami in the team’s final game before the All-Star break.
“Jacque has made an immediate and immeasurable impact on our entire organization since assuming the role of head coach earlier this season,” GM Sean Marks said in a statement. “On the court, he’s clearly demonstrated his leadership through his ability to connect and communicate at a very high level while displaying tremendous instincts for the game.
The Nets have signed head coach Jacque Vaughn to a contract extension. Corey Sipkin for the NY Post“As a person, they don’t come any better than Jacque. His character is impeccable, and there is not a better representative for our team and our borough.”
The Nets’ final 24 games begin with road games Friday against the Bulls and Sunday against the Hawks. The 48-year-old Vaughn will be tasked with preventing the retooled team from stumbling too far in the standings and securing at least a berth in the 7-10 play-in scenario.
It certainly won’t be easy without Irving, who requested a trade after negotiations stalled on a contract extension, and Durant, who asked out and was shipped to the Suns a few days after his All-Star teammate was dealt to the Mavericks.
Jacque Vaughn became the Nets’ head coach after Steve Nash was fired. Noah K. Murray for the NY PostSpencer Dinwiddie has averaged 17.8 points over four games since arriving in the Irving trade, and Mikal Bridges netted 45 points in last Wednesday’s win over the Heat in his third appearance following his inclusion in the Durant blockbuster.
Vaughn, who also coached the Nets for 10 games (7-3) in 2020 following the firing of Kenny Atkinson, had his interim title lifted in November after the Nets briefly looked into hiring former Celtics coach Ime Udoka. The latter was suspended by Boston for the entire 2022-23 season over an improper consensual relationship with a female staffer.
