ANTONIO GONZALEZ
AP Sports Writer
OAKLAND, Calif. (AP) — Steve Kerr knows he has never been a head coach at any level and there are questions about whether he can do the job. He says he’s “willing to put the work in and put the right people around me” to prove he can.
The Golden State Warriors introduced Kerr as their new coach Tuesday at the team’s downtown Oakland headquarters. Kerr’s contract is for five years and about $25 million.
Kerr plans to finish his duties broadcasting the Western Conference finals for TNT before starting with the Warriors.
The former NBA guard said it was tough to turn down the New York Knicks and mentor Phil Jackson. He cited Golden State’s rapid rise the past three seasons and his family in California as his main reasons for taking the job.
“When I sat down with the Warriors, it just clicked,” Kerr said. “I think it’s the right fit for me.”
Kerr replaces Mark Jackson, who was fired by the Warriors on May 6 after a 51-win season and back-to-back playoff appearances in large part because of his sour relationship with team management.
Warriors general manager Bob Myers said the team identified Kerr and former Miami Heat and Orlando Magic coach Stan Van Gundy at the beginning of their search. He said Kerr was already too deep in talks with the Knicks.
“We were really just hoping to get an interview with Steve. And he rebuffed us in a very polite way,” Myers said.
Then Van Gundy agreed to a $35 million, five-year deal last week with Detroit to coach the Pistons and oversee control of basketball operations. Shortly after, Kerr’s agent called the Warriors and asked for a meeting.
So the Warriors met with Kerr last Tuesday in Oklahoma City, where Kerr was calling the Thunder-Clippers game. And they made a big enough impression — and contract offer — to land the man they wanted all along.
Myers said the team’s biggest questions were about Kerr’s lack of coaching experience.
“We immediately knew this was somebody we could get along with and work with. We asked him some tough questions, and he answered them well,” Myers said.
Kerr’s former coach at Arizona, Lute Olson, sat in the front row at his news conference. Warriors co-owners Joe Lacob and Peter Guber also sat in the front row alongside Kerr’s wife and two of their three children.
Kerr’s daughter plays volleyball nearby at the University of California, Berkeley, his oldest son is in college in San Diego and his youngest son is a junior in high school in Southern California.
The Warriors had a video display of “Kerr’s Legendary Coaches,” showing pictures of Phil Jackson, Gregg Popovich, Lenny Wilkens, Cotton Fitzsimmons and Olson. Kerr, 48, helped Arizona to its first Final Four appearance in 1988 and won three titles for Jackson in Chicago and another two under Gregg Popovich in San Antonio during his 15-year NBA playing career.
Kerr also served as general manager of the Phoenix Suns from 2007-10 before going back to TNT as a color commentator. The Suns went 155-91 during his tenure, including a pair of playoff berths and a trip to the 2010 Western Conference finals.
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