The New Orleans Pelicans and head coach Stan Van Gundy have parted ways after just one season. Adrian Wojnarowski with ESPN was the first to report the news which WDSU has confirmed through NBA sources. The Pelicans finished the 2020-2021 season a disappointing 31-41 overall and missed the playoffs for the third consecutive year. New Orleans was historically bad both shooting and defending three-point shots. Van Gundy was hired last October in hopes of bringing discipline and accountability to a young, developing team. He replaced Alvin Gentry who was fired in August of 2020.Since Gentry had one year remaining on his contract, Pelicans owner Gayle Benson paid him $5.2 million to fire him and will now have to pay Van Gundy roughly $15 million to part ways with him. Sources tell WDSU Van Gundy’s contract was for four years and paid him on average $5 million annually. Franchise superstar Zion Williamson, who’s still just 20-years-old, will now play for a third head coach in as many seasons.Pelicans Executive Vice President David Griffin said last month the goals this offseason were to add “shooting, basketball IQ and toughness” to his roster. He now needs to find a coach to manage and oversee the roster. League sources tell WDSU the team has had internal discussions about hiring Milwaukee Bucks assistant Charles Lee as head coach and about promoting Pelicans assistant coach Terese Weatherspoon to head coach. Weatherspoon led Louisiana Tech to an NCAA national championship and played professionally both overseas and in the WNBA. She was inducted into the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame in 2019. Players like Williamson, Jaxson Hayes and Kira Lewis Jr. routinely single out “Spoon” as the coach that’s helped them the most during their early NBA careers. The Pelicans issued the following statement about the decision: “On behalf of Mrs. Gayle Benson and the Pelicans organization, I would like to thank Stan for the integrity and professionalism that he demonstrated during his time in New Orleans, as well as the commitment and work ethic he brought to our team,” said Pelicans Executive Vice President of Basketball Operations David Griffin. “This was a difficult decision as I have tremendous respect for Stan both personally and professionally, but we agreed it is in the best interest of our team to move forward in a different direction. We wish Stan, Kim and their family all the best in the future.”
The New Orleans Pelicans and head coach Stan Van Gundy have parted ways after just one season.
Adrian Wojnarowski with ESPN was the first to report the news which WDSU has confirmed through NBA sources.
The Pelicans finished the 2020-2021 season a disappointing 31-41 overall and missed the playoffs for the third consecutive year. New Orleans was historically bad both shooting and defending three-point shots.
Van Gundy was hired last October in hopes of bringing discipline and accountability to a young, developing team. He replaced Alvin Gentry who was fired in August of 2020.
Since Gentry had one year remaining on his contract, Pelicans owner Gayle Benson paid him $5.2 million to fire him and will now have to pay Van Gundy roughly $15 million to part ways with him. Sources tell WDSU Van Gundy’s contract was for four years and paid him on average $5 million annually.
Franchise superstar Zion Williamson, who’s still just 20-years-old, will now play for a third head coach in as many seasons.
Pelicans Executive Vice President David Griffin said last month the goals this offseason were to add “shooting, basketball IQ and toughness” to his roster.
He now needs to find a coach to manage and oversee the roster.
League sources tell WDSU the team has had internal discussions about hiring Milwaukee Bucks assistant Charles Lee as head coach and about promoting Pelicans assistant coach Terese Weatherspoon to head coach.
Weatherspoon led Louisiana Tech to an NCAA national championship and played professionally both overseas and in the WNBA. She was inducted into the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame in 2019. Players like Williamson, Jaxson Hayes and Kira Lewis Jr. routinely single out “Spoon” as the coach that’s helped them the most during their early NBA careers.
The Pelicans issued the following statement about the decision:
“On behalf of Mrs. Gayle Benson and the Pelicans organization, I would like to thank Stan for the integrity and professionalism that he demonstrated during his time in New Orleans, as well as the commitment and work ethic he brought to our team,” said Pelicans Executive Vice President of Basketball Operations David Griffin. “This was a difficult decision as I have tremendous respect for Stan both personally and professionally, but we agreed it is in the best interest of our team to move forward in a different direction. We wish Stan, Kim and their family all the best in the future.”