Sacramento Kings Part Ways With Interim Head Coach Alvin Gentry
Apr 11, 2022, 10:33 AM | Updated: 11:05 am
(Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images)
(Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images)
The Sacramento Kings have parted ways with interim head coach Alvin Gentry, per Shams Charania and Sam Amick of The Athletic.
Gentry, who took over as head coach following the firing of Luke Walton on November 21st, posted a 24-41 record over 65 games. The 67-year-old was previously the team’s associate head coach before sliding into the lead chair just 17 games into the season.
“The entire Kings organization is grateful for the leadership of Alvin Gentry, who stepped up when he got the call mid-season,” Kings general manager Monte McNair said in a statement that was released on Monday morning. “We appreciate his leadership on and off the court.”
According to Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN, it’s possible that the Kings retain Gentry in a front office role. Gentry has one year remaining on his contract.
For the first time in nearly a decade, the Kings will conduct a widespread coaching search as they look for stability in the position following years of dysfunction.
Since Hall of Fame coach Rick Adelman was let go in 2006, Sacramento has missed the playoffs in an NBA-record 16-consecutive seasons. No head coach has held the position with the organization for more than three seasons in that time–only Dave Joerger (2016-19) and Paul Westphal (2009-11).
Some potential targets were revealed this weekend, namely Mike Brown, Steve Clifford, Mike D’Antoni, and Terry Stotts were mentioned in reports from our very own Carmichael Dave and NBA insider Marc Stein.
After running through 12 head coaches over 16 seasons, it’s time that this organization finds some stability in the position.
Monte McNair and the rest of his front office will have a chance at securing a viable candidate that can help bring this team to a place it hasn’t been in nearly two decades: the postseason.
Expect the Kings to work quickly and efficiently on the search as they will likely want to have a replacement locked in before pre-draft workouts begin in early June.
