Rockets hiring McHale as coach
The Houston Rockets have reached a deal for Kevin McHale to become their next head coach, league sources told Yahoo! Sports on Friday morning.
McHale will get a three-year deal, with a team option for a fourth, league sources said.
McHale emerged as the Rockets' leading candidate last week and was offered the position after meeting with owner Les Alexander.
The Rockets became sold on McHale because they believe he will be a good communicator with their young players. Front office officials also believe McHale has a hunger to succeed as a coach in his post-Hall of Fame playing career.
The Rockets will have a great deal of input into McHale's coaching staff – and perhaps even style of play – sources said. McHale's coaching staff will include the promotion of Houston's D-League coach, Chris Finch of Rio Grande Valley, into a prominent position on McHale's bench.
Memphis Grizzlies assistant coach Dave Joerger is expected to be a candidate to become McHale's top assistant, sources said.
McHale has spent the past two seasons working as an analyst for TNT. The Boston Celtics forward served as the Minnesota Timberwolves' longtime general manager and had a 39-55 record in parts of two seasons as their coach.
