With less than three weeks until the start of training camp, the Oklahoma City Thunder named assistant Mark Daigneault as their new head coach.
Daigneault takes over for Billy Donovan after working under the former Thunder coach for a year.
The new head coach is popular among players and Thunder executives and received a warm welcome in a statement from the team.
We are thrilled to have Mark assume the role of head coach of the Oklahoma City Thunder. He has been a selfless and effective leader, continuous learner, and someone that will help us continue the repositioning of our organization on and off the court.
โThe role is new but nothing else is new for me. I'm coming through the same door, parking in the same spot, that I have for a long time here in this organization.โ
– ๐๐๐๐ ๐๐จ๐๐๐ก ๐๐๐ซ๐ค ๐๐๐ข๐ ๐ง๐๐๐ฎ๐ฅ๐ญ pic.twitter.com/QWqFvTPtd5
— OKC THUNDER (@okcthunder) November 11, 2020
The 35-year-old Daigneault served as OKCโs G League coach for five years, racking up a .572 winning percentage and three division titles.
The new head coach expressed his gratitude to lead the team in a statement.
The opportunity to be the head coach of the Thunder is a truly special honor. Over my six years in Oklahoma City Iโve developed a deep commitment to the organization and a care for what is truly special community that I call home. From my first day here, my values have always been aligned with those of the organization, and Iโm looking forward to helping them continue to be lived out on and off the court.
Daigneault is taking over a team thatโs looking to rebuild over the next several years despite a successful playoff run in the bubble.
Thunder guard Chris Paul has been the subject of multiple trade rumors, and the team will enjoy several first-round picks between the 2020 and 2026 drafts.
The Thunder and the rest of the league start training camp Dec. 1.