The Brooklyn Nets are constantly in the news on and off the court. They have Ben Simmons, who is making lots of money with barely any production over the past year or two. That pales in comparison though to Kyrie Irving, who is currently suspended for promoting an antisemitic film.
During this, the Nets and Steve Nash mutually parted ways and initial reports indicated that the Nets were looking to hire Ime Udoka, which was a problem in and of itself. Udoka is currently suspended by the Boston Celtics for having an inappropriate relationship with a fellow staffer.
While Udoka probably would’ve done a good job in Brooklyn, the fact that the team is so dysfunctional already, hiring Udoka would just compound on all the other controversies and distractions going on within the Nets organization. Instead, the Nets stayed in-house with their next coach, taking the “interim” tag off of Jacque Vaughn’s job title.
The Brooklyn Nets have named Jacque Vaughn as head coach. pic.twitter.com/sgQZ4OtFNA
— Brooklyn Nets (@BrooklynNets) November 9, 2022
Vaughn joined the Nets in 2016 and was interim head coach in between Kenny Atkinson’s and Nash’s tenures. When Nash departed, Vaughn stepped in over the past week and he’ll remain in the top coaching job in Brooklyn.
Many have taken notice to Vaughn getting a shot with the Nets in a permanent setting.
Jacque Vaughn after two years with KD and Kyrie pic.twitter.com/2fuGdORl3U
— Steph Noh (@StephNoh) November 2, 2022
Jacque Vaughn when the Nets told him they were giving him the job: pic.twitter.com/lhIMesQgD9
— Carlton Banks’ Burner (@cbanksburner) November 9, 2022
The Nets have DEFINITELY played harder under Jacque Vaughn these last couple of games… but I do not believe he is a championship level HEAD coach
That being said… I will wish him nothing but the best as his success will be crucial to the Nets achieving anything
— Cody Mallory (@RealCodyMallory) November 9, 2022
The Nets could, and should, have just rolled with Jacque Vaughn after the bubble.
— Keith Smith (@KeithSmithNBA) November 9, 2022
It's hard to explain to people who weren't around for Vaughn's playing career the way he took the state of Kansas by storm. Every kid on the playground had a rubber band around their wrist to snap when they turned the ball over because Vaughn did. Such a cool player. https://t.co/G42IdTEm9Z
— Kevin Flaherty (@KFlaherty247) November 9, 2022
Great day for Jacque Vaughn, who had been passed over for the Nets job the first time for Steve Nash. The Nets have clearly responded to JV. Now he gets an opportunity to win big.
— Kristian Winfield (@Krisplashed) November 9, 2022