The Brooklyn Nets have dismissed coach Jacque Vaughn, per ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski.
The Brooklyn Nets dismissed coach Jacque Vaughn on Monday morning, sources tell ESPN. pic.twitter.com/WjGyf1jONY
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) February 19, 2024
The Nets have not immediately named a successor.
Vaughn had been with the Nets starting as an assistant in 2016 and was the interim coach in the Orlando bubble in 2020, succeeding former coach Kenny Atkinson. Vaughn also coached the Orlando Magic from 2012-15, going 58-158 before being fired midway through his third season.
Brooklyn general manager Sean Marks called firing Vaughn “an incredibly difficult decision” in a released statement.
“Jacque has represented this organization with exemplary character and class for the past eight years. The consistent positivity and passion he poured into our team daily will remain with the players and staff he interacted with throughout his tenure. We thank Jacque for all he has done for the Nets and the borough of Brooklyn, and wish him, Laura and their family nothing but the best in the future.”
Jacque Vaughn exits amidst a disappointing season on Atlantic Avenue. The Nets are 21-33 and lost five of six headed into the All-Star Break. Earlier this year, the team also endured a stretch in which they lost nine of ten.
Brooklyn currently sits 2.5 games behind Atlanta for the final play-in tournament spot. Certainly not what the team was expecting after Vaughn guided them out of the failed Kevin Durant/Kyrie Irving era and into a playoff berth.
Except it got to the point where something had to happen. The Nets have a below-average offense and middling defense. Ben Simmons has been a bust, but Mikal Bridges and Cam Thomas have star potential. Marks has also been a solid GM, despite Irving and KD not working out.
It’s like the old saying goes. If it’s not the talent? It’s the coaching, and Vaughn sadly peaked early in Brooklyn.
