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Kings announce Karl as coach
Jeff Hawkins is an award-winning sportswriter with more than four decades in the industry (print and digital media). A freelance writer/stay-at-home dad since 2008, Hawkins started his career with newspaper stints in Michigan, North Carolina, Florida, Upstate New York and Illinois, where he earned the 2004 APSE first-place award for column writing (under 40,000 circulation). As a beat writer, he covered NASCAR Winston Cup events at NHIS (1999-2003), the NHL's Chicago Blackhawks (2003-06) and the NFL's Carolina Panthers (2011-12). Hawkins penned four youth sports books, including a Michael Jordan biography. Hawkins' main hobbies include mountain bike riding, 5k trail runs at the Whitewater Center in Charlotte, N.C., and live music.
All posts by Jeff HawkinsUpdated15 Oct 2021
The Sacramento Kings officially hired George Karl as their head coach on Tuesday.
The team did not release contract terms for the 27th coach in franchise history and the 16th since the relocation to Sacramento, but previous reports indicated the deal was for $14.5 million over four years. The Kings announced before the NBA All-Star break that interim coach Tyrone Corbin would not be retained.
“We’re fortunate to be taking a step towards returning this franchise to prominence with one of the best coaches in basketball on our sideline,” Kings general manager Pete D’Alessandro said. “George knows how to win, as evidenced by a lifetime track record of success and ability to maintain consistency throughout his three decades in the game. We’re excited to welcome him to Sacramento.”
Karl is well-traveled as an NBA coach, making stops in Cleveland (1984-86), Golden State (1986-88), Seattle (1991-98), Milwaukee (1998-2003) and Denver (2004-2013). He most recently worked as a television analyst.
“I’m extremely excited for the opportunity to coach again in the NBA and I’m thankful it’s happening in Sacramento,” Karl said. “I’m looking forward to the challenge of helping guide the franchise back to greatness.
“We have an owner in Vivek Ranadive who is committed to winning, a roster with some impressive components already assembled and an exciting new development downtown. Anyone who follows basketball, even at a casual level, understands that Kings fans are renowned for their passionate support of the team.
“I’ve coached against the Kings in some important moments over the years and was always amazed by the level of energy they bring to the game. We’re going to provide them with more instances to display that enthusiasm.”
Karl was named the NBA Coach of the Year in 2013 after leading the Nuggets to a franchise-record 57 victories. His teams finished the regular season with a .500 record or better in an NBA-best 21 consecutive years from 1991-92 through 2012-13.
The 63-year-old Karl, who has survived two battles with cancer, is among a select group of NBA coaches with 1,000 career wins.
