Longtime NBA assistant to Pierce be Hawks’ coach
ATLANTA — The Atlanta Hawks are giving Lloyd Pierce his first head coaching job in the NBA, choosing a man who has been an assistant with the Philadelphia 76ers and Memphis Grizzlies to work the sideline for the rebuilding franchise.
The Hawks announced Friday they had agreed to terms on a deal with Pierce.
“It was critically important to find a dynamic teacher who could connect with and develop our young core while instilling the culture and high standards we feel are necessary in a successful program,” general manager Travis Schlenk said in a release. “Lloyd Pierce checks every box, and we couldn’t be more excited to have him leading the Atlanta Hawks into the future.”
The Hawks have scheduled a Monday news conference to introduce Pierce.
Pierce, 42, spent the past five seasons as an assistant coach for the 76ers, who lost in five games to the Boston Celtics this week in the Eastern Conference semifinals after finishing third in the conference with a 52-30 record. Pierce also spent two years as an assistant coach with the Grizzlies, a tenure that included them reaching the 2013 Western Conference finals.
“This is a day I’ve been working toward for a long time, and it’s an honor to be the head coach of the Atlanta Hawks,” Pierce said in the release. “I have great respect for Travis and strong belief in his plan to bring a championship to the city of Atlanta. After spending time with ownership, it’s clear they have a deep investment in and commitment to making this a model organization. This opportunity is a perfect fit for me, and I’m eager to get started.”
Pierce was an assistant coach with the Golden State Warriors in 2010-11, and he was assistant coach for player development with the Cleveland Cavaliers from 2007 to 2010, which included three playoff berths and a spot in the 2009 Eastern Conference finals. Pierce started as an assistant coach at his alma mater, Santa Clara University, from 2002 to 2007. During his four seasons as a player at the California school, future two-time NBA MVP Steve Nash was one of his teammates.
Pierce replaces Mike Budenholzer, who left last month after five seasons with Atlanta. The Hawks went 24-58 this season, which was worst in the East and tied with Dallas for the NBA’s third-worst record. But they were rarely blown out, losing 21 games by fewer than 10 points with only seven losses by 20 or more points.