Vinny Del Negro Will Remain Clippers Head Coach Next Season
The Los Angeles Clippers have agreed to pick up their option on head coach Vinny Del Negro for the 2012-13 season, according to the team's official website.
The announcement officially puts an end to any speculation about who will lead "Lob City" in its attempt to avenge a second-round ouster at the hands of the San Antonio Spurs.
In the 31 years that Donald Sterling has owned the Clippers, his team has reached the second round on only two occasions—a fact that surely worked in Del Negro's favor.
After struggling to a 32-50 record in his first season coaching Los Angeles, Del Negro helped the team improve to 40-26 this year. The acquisition of superstar point guard Chris Paul had a lot to do with that, but it's hard to criticize any coach overseeing such a dramatic turnaround.
The Clippers eventually took down the up-and-coming Memphis Grizzlies in a closely contested seven-game series that will be best remembered by L.A's Game 1 comeback from a 27-point deficit.
Before joining the Clippers, the 45-year-old Del Negro coached the Chicago Bulls to an 82-82 record in two seasons. He played as a guard for five NBA teams between 1988 and 2001, twice going overseas for stints in Italy.
Del Negro may not be the most experienced head coach in the league, but thus far he's proven to be solid fit with Chris Paul's veteran leadership and Blake Griffin's emergence as one of the league's most explosive young players.
Assuming the Clippers continue to surround their core with talented role players, Del Negro's squad should have an opportunity to improve upon this season's performance and potentially contend for a title.
