by Dan Shapiro
Kevin McHale’s back on the bench. After a year out of the game, McHale has accepted the offer to coach the Houston Rockets.
From the Houston Chronicle:
After a month-long search and long sessions debating the merits of three finalists, the Rockets offered McHale their head coaching position on Friday. McHale was chosen over Boston assistant Lawrence Frank and Dallas assistant Dwane Casey after meeting with Rockets owner Leslie Alexander on Wednesday to complete the interview process. McHale has agreed in principle to a three-year deal plus a team option.
Helping the Celtics of the ’80s capture three titles, McHale also notably contributed to Boston’s ’08 title when he sent KG to the Celts as a Timberwolves exec.
McHale’s last coaching stint was with the ’08-09 Timberwolves, stepping in after Randy Wittman’s firing and going 20-43. In that brief time McHale earned his rep as a player’s coach. But the rutter-less Rockets definitely pose a coaching challenge.
