Basketball News

Sonics hire Weiss as head coach

Jul 19, 2005, 2:54 GMT

Los Angeles - The Seattle SuperSonics named familiar face Bob Weiss Monday as their new head coach.

"Today is more of an announcement of a head coach, rather than an introduction," said Sonics general manager Rick Sund.

"It was a simple decision," Sonics chairman Howard Schultz said. "What Bob demonstrated to us privately was absolute unbridled enthusiasm."

Weiss was an original Sonics player in 1967 and has served as an assistant coach since 1994. He replaces Nate McMillan, who left unexpectedly on July 6 to accept the head coaching post with the Portland Trail Blazers.

"I've said this before: Being an assistant is like being a spectator," Weiss said. "You can contribute some, but when you're the head coach it's almost like being in the game."

Weiss has had three previous shots as a head coach in the NBA. He coached the San Antonio Spurs to a 59-105 record between 1986-88. He guided the Atlanta Hawks to a 124-122 mark from 1990-93, then went 27-55 with the Los Angeles Clippers during the 1993-94 season.