Reports: Hornets Hire Warriors Assistant As Head Coach
Jun 11, 2022, 11:02 AM
Assistant coach Kenny Atkinson reacts to a play in the third quarter against the Boston Celtics during Game Four of the 2022 NBA Finals at TD Garden on June 10, 2022 in Boston, Massachusetts. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)
(Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)
SALT LAKE CITY – The Charlotte Hornets plan to hire current Golden State Warriors assistant Kenny Atkinson as the team’s next head coach, according to multiple reports.
Shams Charania of The Athletic and Stadium was the first to report Atkinson’s hiring.
Atkinson will replace James Borrego who Charlotte fired after the regular season. Borrego led the Hornets for the past four seasons.
“Atkinson met with Charlotte Hornets officials — including owner Michael Jordan — on Wednesday and the franchise has decided on the former Nets coach as its new head coach, sources said,” Charania tweeted on June 10. “Atkinson brings development and defensive structure to a young and talented roster.”
Atkinson met with Charlotte Hornets officials — including owner Michael Jordan — on Wednesday and the franchise has decided on the former Nets coach as its new head coach, sources said. Atkinson brings development and defensive structure to a young and talented roster. https://t.co/MqlwGJxzz9
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) June 10, 2022
According to ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski, Atkinson’s deal with the Hornets is for four years.
Golden State assistant Kenny Atkinson has agreed to a four-year deal to become the new coach of the Charlotte Hornets, sources tell ESPN.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) June 10, 2022
With Charlotte’s hiring of Atkinson, the Utah Jazz are currently the only NBA team with a head coaching vacancy.
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About Kenny Atkinson
Atkinson is a native of Northport, New York.
Prior to his coaching career, he played college basketball at Richmond and went on to play professionally from 1990-2004.
In 2004, Atkinson became an assistant coach overseas. He received his first NBA coaching job as an assistant with the New York Knicks in 2008. After multiple seasons with the Knicks, Atkinson was on the Atlanta Hawks coaching staff from 2012-16. Both he and former Jazz head coach Quin Snyder served as Hawks assistants from 2013-14.
In 2016, the Brooklyn Nets hired Atkinson as head coach. After missing the postseason during his first two seasons in Brooklyn, the Nets earned a playoff berth in Atkinson’s third season (2018-19) with the franchise. Atkinson resigned as Brooklyn’s head coach during his fourth season. During his four seasons with the Nets, Atkinson had a 118-190 record, including 1-4 in the playoffs.
Welcome to Charlotte, Kenny Atkinson! #AllFly pic.twitter.com/jLwQ0bx6j2
— Swarm and Sting (@SwarmnSting) June 10, 2022
In 2020, the Los Angles Clippers hired Atkinson as an assistant coach. He coached with the Clippers for one season before joining Steve Kerr’s staff with the Warriors.
Atkinson and the Warriors are currently tied 2-2 with the Boston Celtics in the NBA Finals.
