Raptors coach Mitchell signs new four-year contract
TORONTO (TICKER) —Sam Mitchell will get a chance to build off his award-winning coaching season with the Toronto Raptors.
Mitchell secured his future with the Raptors on Tuesday, signing a new four-year contract with the reigning Atlantic Division champions.
Financial terms were not disclosed, but the Toronto Star reported on its web site that the deal is worth $4 million annually.
The lowest-paid coach in the NBA this past season, Mitchell’s current contract will expire on June 30. However, the Raptors evidently did not want to wait that long to retain the services of the NBA Coach of the Year.
“At season’s end, we discussed the coaching picture as a priority for this franchise, and that Sam Mitchell was the right coach for this team,” Raptors president-general manager Bryan Colangelo said. “More specifically, I made our intent to re-sign Sam very clear. I’m happy to announce today Sam has been justly rewarded for his efforts of leading this team in all that we accomplished.”
Mitchell, 43, guided Toronto to a 47-35 record and the Atlantic Division title this past season. It was the first playoff appearance in five seasons for the Raptors, who lost to the New Jersey Nets in six games in the first round of the Eastern Conference playoffs.
“I’d like to thank Bryan and the board of directors for the opportunity to continue the work we began last season to build a team that’s capable of competing for an NBA championship,” Mitchell said. “The great fans in Toronto have embraced me, and I never imagined being anywhere else.”
Colangelo, who won the league’s Executive of the Year Award last Monday, hopes Mitchell’s new contract will serve as a building block for the improving Raptors.
“I also know Sam accepts the challenge that lies ahead for a team with higher than ever expectations, where continuity and stability should play a major role,” Colangelo said.
Mitchell coached Toronto to its best record in six years despite being presented with a roster completely overhaules by Colangelo, who traded for point guard T.J. Ford, selected forwards Andrea Bargnani with the top overall pick in the 2006 draft and signed European stars Jorge Garbajosa and Anthony Parker.
The mass changes were made around forward Chris Bosh, who received his second All-Star berth this season and appears entrenched as the franchise’s future cornerstone.
After getting off to a slow start, the Raptors clearly meshed under Mitchell, going 24-12 down the stretch.
“There’s a tremendous commitment within our organization to build a championship caliber team, and with young players like Chris Bosh, T.J. Ford, Andrea Bargnani, and Jose Calderon this team has a chance to grow together to reach that level,” Mitchell said. “Our players and staff are going to work hard this offseason with the expectation that next season will be the best yet for the Toronto Raptors.”
Perhaps Colangelo’s best move was one he did not make. When the Raptors stumbled to a 2-8 start, there were calls for Colangelo to fire Mitchell.
Instead, Colangelo remained patient and was rewarded as the young Raptors adapted well to Mitchell’s up-tempo offensive style, increasing their overall scoring average by 14.3 points from the previous season. It was the third-highest scoring average jump in NBA history.
The sixth coach in franchise history, Mitchell owns a career record of 107-139 in three years with the Raptors. Before joining Toronto in June 2004, Mitchell served two seasons as an assistant coach with Milwaukee and Charlotte.
