AP Sources: Kings to interview Del Negro, Jackson, Mitchell
The Sacramento Kings are starting the search for yet another head coach with three candidates who have extensive experience in the head chair.
The Kings plan to interview Vinny Del Negro, Mark Jackson and Sam Mitchell in the first wave as they look for a replacement for the fired George Karl, three people with knowledge of the process tell The Associated Press on Tuesday night. ESPN first reported the Kings' plans.
Owner Vivek Ranadive and GM Vlade Divac are expected to conduct a long, exhaustive search for the next head coach featuring numerous candidates of varying experience levels. It's all in an effort to find a stable solution at one of the most important positions in the franchise, something that has eluded Ranadive in his ownership tenure.
Since taking over in 2014, Ranadive has employed Michael Malone, Tyrone Corbin and Karl. The relationship with Karl was rocky from the start and drama engulfed the organization for most of the season.
Del Negro coached the Chicago Bulls and Los Angeles Clippers, going 210-184 with four trips to the playoffs in five seasons. He was fired in 2013 after his third season with the Clippers ended with a first-round playoff exit.
Jackson is a member of ESPN's top NBA broadcasting crew with Mike Breen and Jeff Van Gundy. He coached the Golden State Warriors for three seasons before being fired in 2014. Jackson's exit from Golden State was messy amid a clash with management, but he is credited with help laying the foundation for the team that won the championship last season under Steve Kerr and won a league record 73 games in the regular season.
Jackson spent Tuesday in Minnesota interviewing for the Timberwolves coaching job after the Wolves interviewed Van Gundy and Tom Thibodeau in previous days.
Mitchell is a former coach of the year with the Toronto Raptors and spent last season as the interim coach in Minnesota after Flip Saunders died just days before the season started. Mitchell led the Wolves to 29 wins, 13 more than in 2014-15.
Karl led Sacramento to a 33-49 record this season.