The Pistons’ hunt for a coach is over, as the team announced that it has hired Stan Van Gundy to serve as both coach and president of basketball operations.
“Stan is a proven winner in our league,” said Pistons owner Tom Gores in a team statement. “He instills his teams with passion, purpose and toughness. He is a great teacher who will help our players grow and develop. Stan is more than just a great coach, he’s a great leader. What I’m most excited about is how Stan can help us shape the franchise and instill what it means to be the best. He’s also a great communicator. My time with Stan has me convinced that he will bring our players, team and community to a very proud place.”
Van Gundy has a career record of 371-208 in his seven-plus seasons as coach of the Heat and Magic. He helped guide Orlando to the NBA Finals in 2009, before his team was bested by the Lakers in five games.
The deal for Van Gundy reportedly is for five years and $35 million. An official announcement on the contract is expected to be announced on Wednesday.
“It is an honor to be chosen to help Tom Gores build the Pistons into a team that competes for championships,” Van Gundy said in a statement. “Tom’s vision of building for the future, while seeking immediate improvement is a challenge that I embrace. We will work to put a team on the floor that reflects the franchise’s rich tradition and embodies the toughness and work ethic of fans in the Detroit area.”
The Pistons are a far cry from the franchise that made it to consecutive NBA Finals in 2004 and 2005, as the team has missed the playoffs for five years in a row. Despite adding Josh Smith in free agency this past offseason to an already talented frontcourt Andre Drummond and Greg Monroe, the Pistons posted a 29-53 record in 2013-14. The team has gone through a massive overhaul, as coach Maurice Cheeks was fired in February and resigned from his post as team president in April.
The team will reportedly introduce Van Gundy at a press conference on Tuesday.
