Nets Fire Jacque Vaughn Less Than One Year After Multi-Year Extension

On Monday morning of February 19, the Brooklyn Nets announced they are parting ways with head coach Jacque Vaughn. This was Vaughn’s second stint as head coach with the team, as he first held the reins after Kenny Atkinson in the 2019-20 season. Vaughn remained on the coaching staff and took over full-time as head coach ever since Steve Nash was fired just seven games into the 2022-23 season. On February 21 of last year, the Nets extended Vaughn through the 2026-27 season. Having a roster loaded with young potential, Vaughn had some positive marks in developing certain players. However, the Nets fell below expectations in Vaughn’s first official full season this year, causing a need for change.

Brooklyn was on track to compete in the East at the beginning of the season, as the team started out with a 13-10 record. The season took a major turn, with Brooklyn currently sitting at 21-33 at the All-Star break, following a 48-point loss to the Boston Celtics in Vaughn’s last game. After the 8-23 skid, the Nets sit at 11th in the East, out of the playoff picture. To go along with the team’s struggles, several players have lost faith in Vaughn, leading to the decision to part ways.

The Nets general manager Sean Marks released a statement on the firing of Vaughn, saying “This was an incredibly difficult decision, but one we feel is in the best interest of the team going forward. Jacque has represented this organization with exemplary character and class for the past eight years…We thank Jacque for all he has done…and wish him, Laura, and their family nothing but the best in the future.” In his tenure as head coach, Vaughn’s record with Brooklyn ends at 64-65, with two playoff appearances that both resulted in the Nets being swept by their opponents. Brooklyn has yet to name an interim head coach ahead of their next game on Thursday, February 22, in Toronto against the Raptors.