Kevin Ollie named Nets’ interim coach

Former UConn men’s coach steps into the role after Nets fired Jacque Vaughn

Former UConn men’s basketball coach Kevin Ollie will become the Brooklyn Nets interim coach, following the firing of coach Jacque Vaughn, the team announced Tuesday.

The hiring was first reported by ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski on Monday. Ollie ran practice Tuesday and will begin his head-coaching responsibilities Thursday against the Toronto Raptors.

Ollie, who led the Huskies to their fourth national championship in 2014, was fired in March 2018 by UConn, which cited just cause for the move. Ollie won his arbitration case against the University in 2022 after claiming he was wrongfully terminated from his role in 2018 and was paid nearly $11.2 million.

Ollie joined UConn as an assistant in 2010, but it only took him two years to become the program’s head coach (2012-18).

Ollie came to UConn from Los Angeles and played for the Huskies from 1991-95. Undrafted, Ollie went onto play for 12 NBA teams in 13 seasons, ending his career with the Oklahoma City Thunder in 2009-10.

He earned roster spots alongside the likes of Kevin Durant, LeBron James, Russell Westbrook, and James Harden late in this career, earning his reputation as a leader.

After his stint as UConn coach, Ollie became the coach of Overtime Elite, a basketball program for 16-20-year-olds that provides a better pathway to becoming a professional athlete. He led OE until 2023 when he joined the Brooklyn Nets bench as an assistant.

Under Vaughn, the Nets were 21-33 this season and have 28 regular-season games left.

Ollie was also a finalist for the Detroit Pistons’ head coaching job before joining the Nets.

Jessica Hill/Associated Press UConn coach Kevin Ollie watches from the sideline during the first half of a college basketball game in Storrs in 2018.