After a harsh breakup in 2012, Stan Van Gundy parting ways with the Orlando Magic, Van Gundy has been keeping himself busy with philanthropic causes in the Orlando area. But the time has come to suit up and coach basketball again. Van Gundy has a new job in Detroit. Actually, Van Gundy has two jobs.
Part of Stan Van Gundy's return to pro hoops is that he will serve as both head coach and team president. This means that Van Gundy will have control over personnel decisions. Though not without precedent it is rare for a coach in the NBA to have that much power (via ABC 7 in Detroit):
"It's rare for one person to have that much control in the NBA, but Doc Rivers does both jobs for the Los Angeles Clippers.
"'This is the most important decision we have made as an organization,' said Tom Gores, who took over as the team's owner in 2011. 'Not only did we hire a coach and president of basketball, we are resetting the culture of the franchise. I'm so confident that this is going to work.'"
Coach Van Gundy sees it as something that should be more common:
"One of the big problems at least in our league right now in a lot of places is there is not a great connection necessarily between front office and coaching," Van Gundy said. "This setup -- nothing to do with power -- it allows us to really create a tremendous synergy and a very unified organization."
With a respectable win-loss record and a passion for both community and the game of basketball Van Gundy seems poised to make a strong and positive impact for the city of Detroit, both on the court and off.
What do you think? Is the president/coach paradigm a stroke for communication strategy and efficiency or a dangerous power trip?
Tell us your thoughts.
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