Kerr Signs to Head Coach Golden State

Steve Kerr, the former NBA guard and color commentator for NBA games has signed to be the head coach of the Pacific Division Golden State Warriors.

Kerr turned a New York Knicks and Phil Jackson offer down to accept the 5-year $25 million deal the Warriors put on the table. Kerr summed up his decision by saying the decision felt right on many levels.

Kerr called his new team young and talented and the location ideal. Kerr said his daughter attends Cal and is a member of the volleyball team, his oldest son attends a San Diego college and his youngest is in high school. They all will be close with him coach in Oakland.

Kerr was in talks about being the next head coach for Jackson’s New York Knicks. Sources had said New Work wanted just a four-year deal with Kerr instead of the 5-year one he signed with the Warriors.

Multiple sources confirmed that Kerr has always preferred the Golden State job to the Knicks one the entire time, but it was made tougher because of the relationship between he and Jackson.

Kerr said the decision was tough and difficult to say no to some like Jackson who has done so much for his career and how much he thinks of the former Chicago Bulls coach.

Kerr said he knows the Knicks will turn around the franchise but it will be a long undertaking and he was not ready to do that from 3,000 miles away from his home.

While Kerr played for Chicago under Jackson, the Bulls won three NBA titles.

Kerr said that Jackson supported his decision to coach the Warriors. Jackson told him to check the job out and do what was best for the heart.

Kerr won two other NBA titles with San Antonio, but has never been a head coach. He was general manager for the Phoenix Suns for three seasons, before resigning in 2010.

Joe Lacob, the owner of the Warriors said Kerr did not have experience as a coach but was very prepared, knows the club’s roster and will have a strong staff to assist him.

Most thought Stan Van Gundy was on the top of the Warriors list for the coaching position, but Van Gundy opted to coach the Detroit Pistons making Kerr the number one choice for Golden State.

Everyone involved in the negotiations with Kerr said that Jackson was first class and it was not that there were issues with the Knicks, just that Kerr wanted to be closer to home making Golden State a better fit.

Kerr met with Golden State on Tuesday prior to his broadcast on TNT at the Oklahoma City playoff game.

The Warriors also have a roster that is younger and deeper than the Knicks.

Kerr will replace Mark Jackson who the Warriors fired after their loss in the first round to the Los Angeles Clippers.

Now the Knicks will have to regroup after Kerr’s signing with the Warriors. Two possible prospects are Derek Fisher and Kurt Rambis, of which both are close to Jackson.