Sonics name Carlesimo head coach

Carlesimo has spent the last five seasons as an assistant under Spurs head coach Gregg Popovich.

"I am excited to have P.J. as a part of our program," Sonics general manager Sam Presti said. "His presence will continue to help build a culture of success both on and off the floor. The Sonics are getting a true teacher of the game; his background and defensive philosophy will further establish the identity for our basketball team."

After 19 seasons as a head coach on the collegiate level, Carlesimo made the jump to the NBA when he was named the head coach of the Portland Trail Blazers in the summer of 1994. Carlesimo guided the Trail Blazers to the playoffs for three straight seasons before he was hired by Golden State.

However, Carlesimo ran into conflict and losing with the Warriors, most notably the strangling incident with Latrell Sprewell, who was the team’s star player at the time.

He was fired as Warriors head coach in late December of 1999.

Carlesimo spent four seasons as an assistant coach at his alma mater, Fordham University, before he was named the head coach at New Hampshire College in 1975. He spent one season with New Hampshire before becoming the head coach at Wagner College, where he spent six seasons. Carlesimo then made the jump to Seton Hall University, where he served as head coach for 12 seasons, from 1982 to 1994.

Carlesimo has a collegiate coaching record of 291-272, and has a professional record of 183-222.

He replaces Bob Hill in Seattle, who was ousted as head coach after the season. The SuperSonics finished 31-51 last season, losing its last five games while posting the second worst record in the Western Conference. This was Seattle’s worst mark for a full season since an identical 31-51 mark in 1985-86.

"I am really excited with the opportunity to come to the Sonics, and I especially look forward to working with Sam Presti to build a consistent winner," Carlesimo said. "I am very impressed with the commitment of ownership to support a vision of long-term success. We have a talented young nucleus returning and an outstanding draft class."