Editor's Note: The above video is from May 10, 2016.
SACRAMENTO - Dave Joerger is building his staff. Even before the former Grizzlies coach was officially hired to take over the Kings, rumors of a potential return of long-time Sacramento assistant Elston Turner made it’s way around media circles. While nothing is official on Turner yet, it appears we have another name to add to the mix.
Bryan Gates, another former Kings assistant, was in attendance two weeks ago in Sacramento during prospect workouts and CSN California has confirmed through a league source that he is set to join Joerger’s staff for the coming season.
Gates broke into the league with the Kings during the 2009-10 season under head coach Paul Westphal. He spent one season in Sacramento before joining coach Monty Williams in New Orleans for five seasons. After Williams was let go by the Pelicans, Gates joined Sam Mitchell’s staff in Minnesota last year.
He has seven seasons of NBA experience as an assistant and his path to the NBA looks shockingly like Joerger’s. Gates coached overseas, in the CBL, the USBL and the CBA, before he landed a job working under NBA legend Dennis Johnson with the Austin Toros of the D-League.
Gates would go on to coach the Idaho Stampede for three seasons, winning two Coach of the Year honors and a D-League title during the 2007-08 season.
Known for his work developing young players, the Boise State grad will join a staff that still includes holdovers Corliss Williamson and Nancy Lieberman. The rest of Joerger’s staff is expected to be announced as early as late this week.
Change in Reno
CSN California has also confirmed that the Reno Bighorns will go a new directions with their coaching staff this season. After two seasons in Reno, David Arseneault Jr. will not be re-upped for a third year.
Known for his aggressive offensive style that he brought from Grinnell University, Arseneault Jr., 29, led the Bighorns to a 33-17 record this season, before getting bounced in the first round of the playoffs. Over his two seasons at the helm, Arseneault Jr. posted a 53-47 record.
There is no early word on who might replace Arseneault Jr. in Reno. But Peja Stojakovic, who serves as both the Kings’ director of player personnel and development and as the general manager of the Bighorns, will likely look for a more conventional style to match coach Joeger’s play at the NBA level.
Chris Reichert of UpsideMotor.com was first with the Arseneault Jr. news.
