The Detroit Pistons have hired former All-Star point guard and current Oklahoma City Thunder assistant Maurice Cheeks as their new head coach, according to ESPN. Cheeks has spent the past four seasons with the Thunder and has served two previous stints as an NBA head coach.
The former player agreed to a deal with Detroit on Monday to replace fired coach Lawrence Frank, the team announced.
"After spending some time with Maurice, I was very impressed not only with his basketball knowledge but his communication and leadership skills," Pistons owner Tom Gores said in a statement. "We are very excited to have someone of his experience and talent help take this franchise into the future."
ESPN.com reported that Cheeks met with Gores in Detroit for a third interview after two previous meetings. The website then reported that Cheeks held an advantage over Nate McMillan, who was also being considered for the job.
Cheeks owns a 284-286 career coaching record which includes tenures with the Philadelphia 76ers and Portland Trail Blazers. During his six full seasons as a head coach, he has led his teams to three first-round playoff exits.
Other than Cheeks and McMillan, the Pistons were also considering Atlanta Hawks coach Larry Drew, former Phoenix Suns interim coach Lindsey Hunter, San Antonio Spurs assistant Mike Budenholzer and New York Knicks assistant Darrell Walker, according to ESPN.
The team announced in May that former NBA champion Phil Jackson, a longtime close friend of Gores, would serve as a team consultant during the Pistons' coaching search. However, the hiring of Cheeks came without Jackson's personal favorite candidate - former Lakers and current Pacers associate head coach Brian Shaw - ever interviewing with the front office.
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