Steve Kerr Named New Warriors Head Coach

Photo Credit: NBA.com

By Francisco Romero

Former University of Arizona shooting guard and former Suns General Manager, Steve Kerr, has been named the new Head Coach for the Golden State Warriors and was officially introduced last Tuesday during a press conference. The five-time NBA Finals Champion (three with Bulls and two with Spurs) signed an agreement that will keep him with the Warriors for the next five seasons.

“We’re very pleased to introduce Steve Kerr as our new head coach,” said Warriors General Manager Bob Myers, through a press release. “We are confident that he will be an extremely good fit for our team and our organization as we venture into the future.”

It was reported that the New York Knicks also wanted Kerr as their new head coach.

Kerr, 48, is currently working for TNT as a color commentator. The former Arizona Wildcats is only one of 25 NBA players to win five championships.

“I’m really excited about the unique opportunity to coach a very talented team and work for this committed management group,” said Kerr. “

Steve Kerr’s former coach at Arizona, Lute Olson, was sitting in the front row of the press conference. Kerr played for Olson during Arizona’s first appearance in a Final Four during the ‘87-’88 season.

Kerr replaces Mark Jackson as the Head Coach. Jackson was hired to lead the Warriors in 2011 after retiring as a player in 2004.

Golden State finished the regular season with a record of 51-31, but failed to advance in the NBA playoffs. The Los Angeles Clippers eliminated the Warriors in the first round.

This is the first head-coaching job for Steve Kerr in his career.

After finishing his college career with the University of Arizona, the Phoenix Suns, in the 1988 NBA Draft selected Kerr in the second round.