The Golden State Warriors’ phenomenal championship run was led by Stephen Curry and the young core of stars. While they’ll be competing for many years to come, the bench was also just as important. From Steve Kerr to the front office, everybody’s contributions pushed the Warriors up to the pinnacle. The coaching staff for the 2015-16 season will look a little bit different.
Luke Walton will now move upwards and replaces Alvin Gentry who accepted a head coaching opportunity with the New Orleans Pelicans. Jarron Collins used to sit behind the bench as a player development coach has moved up also; he will now rank as the third assistant coach. On top of the expected change, Theo Robertson has been promoted to video coordinator / player development.
Ron Adams will return to coach the defense which was ranked first in defensive rating in 2014-15. The Warriors will continue to strive as an offensive powerhouse as well as a lockdown defense.
From more information refer to the official press release:
WARRIORS ANNOUNCE COACHING STAFF FOR 2015-16 SEASON
OAKLAND, CA – The Golden State Warriors will bring back all but one member of Head Coach Steve Kerr’s coaching staff that, in their first season together in 2014-15, produced a franchise-record 67 regular-season wins and the team’s first NBA Championship in 40 years, the team announced today.
Luke Walton, 35, will slide into the seat previously occupied by Alvin Gentry, who was named head coach of the New Orleans Pelicans earlier this offseason. Entering his second season as an assistant coach with the Warriors, Walton previously served as a player development coach for the Los Angeles D-Fenders of the NBA D-League in 2013-14 and as an assistant coach at the University of Memphis during the 2011 NBA Lockout. The San Diego native enjoyed a 10-year playing career in the NBA (2003-13) with the Los Angeles Lakers and Cleveland Cavaliers, capturing NBA championships with the Lakers in 2009 and 2010.
Ron Adams, 67, returns for his second season with the Warriors after helping the team finish first in defensive rating (98.2) in 2014-15. Overall, Adams owns more than 20 seasons of experience on the bench as an NBA assistant coach, including stints with the Boston Celtics (2013-14), Chicago Bulls (2003-08, 2010-13), Oklahoma City Thunder (2008-10), Milwaukee Bucks (1998-2003), Philadelphia 76ers (1994-96) and San Antonio Spurs (1992-94). During his time as an assistant coach, Adams has made 14 appearances in the NBA Playoffs.
Jarron Collins, 36, has been promoted to the role of assistant coach and will move to the front of the bench after spending the 2014-15 season as a player development coach. Prior to joining the Warriors, he served two seasons as a personnel scout for the Los Angeles Clippers. The Stanford grad played 10 seasons in the NBA (2001-11) with the Utah Jazz, Phoenix Suns, Los Angeles Clippers and Portland Trail Blazers.
Bruce Fraser, 50, will return in his role as player development coach, working closely with the players on individual skill development. In addition to his work with the Warriors last season, Fraser previously coached at both the college and professional levels, having worked at the University of Arizona under Lute Olson (1987-90), the University of Missouri under Quin Snyder (1999-2000) and the Indiana Pacers under Larry Brown (1994-95). Additionally, he served as a scout for the Phoenix Suns from 2004-10. The Long Beach, CA, native was a teammate of Kerr’s at the University of Arizona, where Fraser played from 1983-87.
Additionally, the team announced the promotion of Theo Robertson to the role of video coordinator/player development. Robertson, who played collegiately at Cal from 2005-10, served as a video intern during his first season with the Warriors in 2014-15.
Below is the Warriors’ coaching staff for the upcoming season:
Head Coach
Steve Kerr
Assistant Coaches
Luke Walton
Ron Adams
Jarron Collins
Player Development Coach
Bruce Fraser
For more information on the 2015 NBA Champion Golden State Warriors, visit warriors.com.