The last few months has seen several coaches and their positions flip-flop around like an elaborate game of musical chairs. Doc Rivers is now in Philly, Stan Van Gundy took control of the Pelicans, and Billy Donovan made the move to Chicago, taking hall of famer Moe Cheeks with him, much to my dismay. So, who is calling the shots over in Oklahoma City? Give a big welcome to head coach newbie, Mark Daigneault (pronounced DAG-nolt).
Let’s Meet Mark
This might be Daigneault’s first stint as a head coach. But Thunder fans, do not fear. Mark is the guy the Thunder team can grow with. Not only is he the second youngest coach in the league, just older than Ryan Saunders of Minnesota, but his resume shows he has worked with some impressive names in the coaching world.
The College Days
Daigneault got his start as a student manager of the UCONN basketball team from 2003 to 2007. This means our new Thunder buddy worked under Bill Calhoun, who is considered to be one of the best coaches in the existence of NCAA basketball, for four years. Plus, 2004 was when Calhoun led UCONN to their second National Championship during his tenure at the university. While working for a really great head coach doesn’t always guarantee a successful career, it definitely says a lot that Daigneault’s next position as assistant coach at Holy Cross was due to Calhoun’s recommendation.
Congratulations to our former student manager, Mark Daigneault, on being named the new Head Coach of the @okcthunder ‼️?#ThisIsUConn | #PullTheSled https://t.co/FYaZKwhoVX
— UConn Men’s Basketball (@UConnMBB) November 11, 2020
After three years at Holy Cross, Daigneault then made the jump to the University of Florida where he first served as the graduate manager and then as the assistant to the head coach. Yes, this means that he worked for good ole Billy Donovan during some highlight years of his collegiate coaching career.
Welcome to the Big Friendly
Before Donovan made the leap to professional, Daigneault did it first. His first head coaching position started in 2014 with the Thunder G League affiliate, the Oklahoma City Blue, where he stayed until 2019. This is when his old friend Donovan invited him to be an assistant coach on a little team known as the Thunder. Who knew that just a year later this same team would be under Daigneault’s complete control?
While this might be only his second head coaching position ever, Daigneault is a great pick for the current state of the Oklahoma City team. He is young and might make some mistakes but his experience working under some tough coaches will be evident in times of difficulty. Plus, as many Thunder fans understand, in Sam Presti we trust. In regards to the Daigneault promotion Presti said, “Mark is a values-based leader, continuous learner, and someone that will help us continue the repositioning of our organization on and off the court.”
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