Kings name Dave Joerger head coach

The Kings have hired Dave Joerger as their next head coach, the team announced on Monday.

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The Kings have hired Dave Joerger as their next head coach, the team announced on Monday.

“I am thrilled to welcome Dave to the Sacramento Kings,” general manager Vlade Divac said in a statement. “He is a strong and passionate leader with a proven track record of producing results. Dave shares our focus on creating a long-term culture of winning and I look forward to a bright future ahead for the Kings with his leadership on the court.”

Joerger was fired by the Memphis Grizzlies on Saturday after going 147–99 in three seasons as head coach and 9–13 in the postseason. He had been an assistant with the franchise dating back to the 2007–08 season.

Sacramento parted ways with head coach George Karl in April after missing the postseason for a 10th straight season. The Kings took center Willie Cauley-Stein in the first round of last year’s draft and have a lottery pick this year.

The Knicks, Rockets, Pacers and Grizzlies are now the only NBA teams without a head coach.

- Kenny Ducey