Saturday, July 27, 2002
Warriors tap Musselman as team's new head coach
At age 37, he's youngest in league in that position
The Associated Press
OAKLAND, Calif. - Eric Musselman became the NBA's youngest head coach Friday when the Golden State Warriors made him their eighth coach since 1994.
Musselman, the 37-year-old son of former Minnesota and Cleveland coach Bill Musselman, was an assistant with Atlanta the past two seasons. He was hired to lead a team that hasn't made the playoffs or posted a winning record since 1994.
“You look at this roster, and it's a really exciting place to coach, especially for someone getting his first opportunity,” Musselman said. “We'll play hard every night, and there will be no nights off.”
Musselman agreed to a three-year contract worth about $4.5 million.
Though his previous NBA experience is limited to assistant positions with three teams, Musselman was considered one of the league's most promising coaching prospects.
He has extensive head coaching experience from the CBA, where the 5-foot-8 former San Diego guard went 270-122 games over seven seasons with the Florida Beach Dogs, from 1990-97, and first gained a reputation as an intense, fiery motivator.
Musselman, who turns 38 on Nov.19, is 108 days younger than Seattle's Nate McMillan. He becomes the NBA's seventh coach younger than 43.
Warriors general manager Garry St. Jean chose Musselman over interim coach Brian Winters to lead a team that's expected to have at least six players younger than 23 on its roster this fall.
The Warriors went 21-61 last season, missing the playoffs for a league-worst eighth consecutive season since owner Chris Cohan gained control of the team. They have had at least 60 losses the past three seasons.
SPURS: Free agent forward Malik Rose, 27, re-signed with the team, receiving a $42 million, seven-year deal, a source close to the negotiations said on condition of anonymity. Last season, his fifth with the team, the 6-7, 255-pound Rose averaged 9.4 points and six rebounds as San Antonio's sixth man and played in all 82 games.
CAVALIERS: Bryant Stith, a 6-5 guard, had arthroscopic surgery on his right knee Thursday but is not expected to miss the start of training camp in October. He averaged 4.2 points in 50 games with the Cavaliers last season.
DOMINICAN GAME: Miami will play Minnesota on Oct.11 in a preseason game marking the NBA's first visit to the Dominican Republic. It will be the 19th game the league has played in Latin America since 1992. Musselman
Sports Stories
Now signed, rookies work on delivering
Bengals brimming with confidence
Abnormal heart tests send Jackson to sideline
Potential unfulfilled, Seahawks' Leaf retires
Mets 3, Reds 2
Reds box, Runs
Fehr: Avoiding strike possible
Boone feels good about meeting with Fehr
Mo called his shot
Patriarch of umpire family dies at age 84
Angels move into 1st in AL West
NL roundup
AL roundup
Notes from Friday's games
UC's Hicks rebuilding strength in injured leg
Warriors tap Musselman as team's new head coach
