The Detroit Pistons officially announced on Wednesday the hiring of Stan Van Gundy as head coach and president of basketball operations.
“Stan is a proven winner in our league. He instills his teams with passion, purpose and toughness. He is a great teacher who will help our players grow and develop,” Pistons Owner Tom Gores said via a team release. “Stan is more than just a great coach, he’s a great leader. What I’m most excited about is how Stan can help us shape the franchise and instill what it means to be the best. He’s also a great communicator. My time with Stan has me convinced that he will bring our players, team and community to a very proud place.”
While financial terms were not disclosed, Adrian Wojnarowski of Yahoo Sports reported Tuesday that the two sides were negotiating a deal worth five-year, $35 million.
Detroit becomes Van Gundy's third team and first outside of the state of Florida after coaching stints in Miami and Orlando.
The 54-year-old has been off the sidelines for the past two seasons, following five seasons with the Magic, where he led them to a 259-135 record. Van Gundy spoke about his excitement in turning the Pistons back into the dominant team that it was from 2001-2008.
“It is an honor to be chosen to help Tom Gores build the Pistons into a team that competes for championships,” said Van Gundy. “Tom’s vision of building for the future, while seeking immediate improvement is a challenge that I embrace. We will work to put a team on the floor that reflects the franchise’s rich tradition and embodies the toughness and work ethic of fans in the Detroit area.”