Current:Home > InvestThunder's Mark Daigneault wins NBA Coach of the Year after leading OKC to top seed in West -WealthGrow Network
Thunder's Mark Daigneault wins NBA Coach of the Year after leading OKC to top seed in West
View
Date:2025-04-25 08:42:01
NEW ORLEANS — Oklahoma City Thunder head coach Mark Daigneault was named NBA Coach of the Year, the league announced Sunday night.
Two years removed from a 24-win season and just a year removed from a play-in berth, Daigneault coached the Thunder to a 57-25 record this season, becoming the youngest No. 1 seed in NBA history. It began the season as the league’s youngest active team, only older than the San Antonio Spurs. The Thunder finished with both top-five offensive and defensive ratings this season.
Minnesota's Chris Finch and Orlando's Jamahl Mosley were the other finalists.
Daigneault becomes the second Thunder coach to win the award, with Scott Brooks being awarded after the 2009-10 season.
The fourth-year coach began his time with the Thunder organization back in 2014, named head coach for the team’s G League affiliate, the Oklahoma City Blue. After serving as an assistant under Billy Donovan during the 2019-20 season, Daigneault was handed the keys as his predecessor.
All things Thunder: Latest Oklahoma City Thunder news, schedule, roster, stats, injury updates and more.
More:Who is ‘Bark Daigneault’? Meet dog making 'challenge face' like Thunder coach
Daigneault’s journey began as a manager for the UConn men’s basketball team, working with eventual NBA players such as Ben Gordon and Emeka Okafor. From there, Daigneault earned his first assistant coaching job at Holy Cross. He eventually went on to become Donovan’s unofficial assistant before being tapped by Thunder owner Sam Presti.
"I want to thank Sam for always seeing me for what I could be rather than what I am," Daigneault told the media after he was hired in 2020.
During a season that began without grandiose expectations, Daigneault has a team mostly without playoff experience on the verge of completing a first-round sweep against the New Orleans Pelicans. He’s found steadiness through spontaneous lineups and unpredictable substitutions. He’s kept a firm identity, playing small lineups and openly accepting tradeoffs.
The 39-year-old’s staff has earned a reputation for offensive creativity without sacrificing defensive integrity. By the end of the season, Daigneault helped claim a Northwest Division title to earn the tiebreaker in a historically competitive West – making him the favorite for Sunday’s award.
Daigneault was surely aware of the award's eventual reveal Sunday, and his chances at winning. Still, in typical Daigneault fashion, he chose to deflect any anticipation surrounding him.
"Nope, no plans," Daigneault said when asked what he'd be doing Sunday night. "Regular evening."
veryGood! (76)
Related
- Chuck Scarborough signs off: Hoda Kotb, Al Roker tribute legendary New York anchor
- As France and US face threats from within, we need Olympics more than ever
- Man tells jury he found body but had no role in fatal attack on Detroit synagogue leader
- Prince William Joins King Charles III and Queen Camilla for Royal Duties in Scotland
- Stamford Road collision sends motorcyclist flying; driver arrested
- Pennsylvania Senate passes bill encouraging school districts to ban students’ phone use during day
- Josh Hartnett Shares His Daughters' Adorable Reactions to Attending Taylor Swift's Eras Tour
- Lakers sign Bronny James to rookie deal same day as LeBron
- Pressure on a veteran and senator shows what’s next for those who oppose Trump
- Massachusetts lawmakers seek to expand scope of certain sexual offenses
Ranking
- Residents worried after ceiling cracks appear following reroofing works at Jalan Tenaga HDB blocks
- Federal Reserve minutes: Inflation is cooling, but more evidence is needed for rate cuts
- 9 killed in overnight strike in Gaza's Khan Younis, hours after Israel ordered mass evacuation
- Cleveland officer fatally shot while trying to serve a warrant
- Moving abroad can be expensive: These 5 countries will 'pay' you to move there
- How much TV is OK for little kids? Making screen time work for your family
- Are tanning beds safe? What dermatologists want you to know
- 130 degrees: California's Death Valley may soon break world heat record
Recommendation
Costco membership growth 'robust,' even amid fee increase: What to know about earnings release
Jürgen Klopp for USMNT? Alexi Lalas, Tim Howard urge US Soccer to approach ex-Liverpool boss
July 4th food deals: Get discounts at Baskin-Robbins, Buffalo Wild Wings, Target, Jimmy John's, more
Massachusetts lawmakers seek to expand scope of certain sexual offenses
Highlights from Trump’s interview with Time magazine
Celebrate July 4th with a hot dog: Best cities for hot dogs, America's favorite hot dog
Lucky Blue Smith's Ex Stormi Bree Reacts to Nara Smith's TikTok Fame
Americans to celebrate Fourth of July with parades, cookouts — and lots of fireworks