Terry Stotts Becomes New Head Coach For Portland Trail Blazers
The Portland Trail Blazers hired Dallas Mavericks assistant Terry Stotts as their new head coach Tuesday, filling the NBA’s last coaching vacancy.
“I’m very pleased to be a part of a great franchise in a beautiful city with such a proud history,” Stotts, 54, said in a statement. “I look forward to working hard with Neil and our players toward the ultimate goal of bringing another championship to Portland.”
Stotts replaces Kaleb Canales, who went 8-15 in an interim role after Nate McMillan was fired earlier this year.
“Terry is one of the elite offensive minds in the NBA, has extensive experience with multiple organizations and was instrumental in the Dallas Mavericks winning the 2011 NBA Championship,” Blazers GM Neil Olshey said in a statement. “He understands the vision for the future of the franchise, appreciates the process involved and will create an environment on the court that will produce championship habits.”
CBS Sports writes that prior to his assistant coaching gig with the Mavericks, Stotts served as the head man on two occasions: from 2002-2004 with the Atlanta Hawks and 2005-2007 with the Milwaukee Bucks. He holds a career coaching record of 115-168 and boasts one playoff appearance and zero .500+ seasons to his name.
Before becoming a head coach in 2002, Stotts also spent time as an assistant under George Karl for six years in Seattle and four with Milwaukee.
Dallas head coach Rick Carlisle had nothing but praises to sing for Stotts, when asked about his former assistant’s new role with the Blazers.
“A great hire for a great franchise,” Carlisle told ESPN via text message. “Terry was a big part of our championship success in Dallas, and we wish him the very best. He has the great fortune of going to work for Paul Allen, who, along with Mark Cuban, is one of the best owners in the NBA.”
