The New Orleans Pelicans will have seasoned coach Alvin Gentry manning the sidelines for them next season after hiring the veteran Saturday as their new head coach.
Gentry is currently an assistant coach for the Golden State Warriors and will remain with the team until their 2015 NBA Finals series against the Cleveland Cavaliers is finished.
The 60-year-old will replace Monty Williams and according to Adrian Wojnarowski of Yahoo will get a four-year, $13.75 million pact with New Orleans.
"We conducted an extensive coaching search that identified Alvin Gentry as the right person to lead our team. Alvin is a well-respected coach that brings many years of experience, a wealth of knowledge, creativity and leadership," Pelicans GM Dell Demps stated according to NBA.com.
Gentry has been a head coach for four times in his career with the Miami Heat (1994), Detroit Pistons (1998-2000), Los Angeles Clippers (2001-2003) and Phoenix Suns (2009-2013).
He has a 335-370 record as a head coach and his best stint came in his stay with Phoenix.
Gentry had a 158-144 record with the Suns for five seasons leading them to the Western Conference Finals in 2010.
"I'm truly honored for the opportunity to lead the Pelicans as their head coach and am anxious to get started. However, my responsibilities with the Pelicans will begin immediately after the NBA Finals are completed," Gentry said according to NBA.com.
"Until then, my complete focus for the next two-plus weeks will be with the Warriors and the NBA Finals," he added.
In a report by NBA.com, Pelicans owner Tom Benson stated that they are thrilled to have Gentry as a part of their organization.
"He has proven himself as a winner and is in the midst of helping the Golden State Warriors in the NBA Finals. We look forward to having him lead our team," Benson also said.
Gentry will handle a Pelicans squad led by rising star Anthony Davis which made it to this season's playoffs but were swept in the first round by the Warriors.
