CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) — The Charlotte Bobcats have introduced Mike Dunlap as their new head coach.
The 54-year-old Dunlap becomes the fifth coach in the eight-year history of the franchise. He replaces Paul Silas, whose contract was not renewed after the team struggled to a 7-59 record last season, the worst winning percentage in NBA history.
Owner Michael Jordan did not attend the news conference. President of basketball operations Rod Higgins calls Dunlap “the right guy to take us into the future.”
Dunlap comes to the Bobcats from St. John’s, where he was an assistant under Steve Lavin. He took over the head coaching duties last season while Lavin was sidelined with prostate cancer.
Dunlap’s only NBA experience was as an assistant coach with the Denver Nuggets in 2006-08. He has been a head coach at Division II Metropolitan State, California Lutheran and with Adelaide of the Australian NBA.
