P.J. Carlesimo
Former NBA and college coach, broadcaster, and Seton Hall 'Coach of the Century.'
P.J. Carlesimo (born May 30, 1949) is an American former basketball coach who coached in the NBA and college basketball for nearly 40 years. He also works as a television broadcaster.
- Role
- NCAA Head Coach / Former NBA Assistant
- Affiliation
- Seton Hall Pirates (Primary), New Jersey Nets (Brief)
- New Orleans Connection
- None
- Status
- Retired from Coaching
- Era
- 1980s–2010s
Verified Timeline
Lore & Background
Carlesimo coached Seton Hall University from 1982 to 1994, leading the Pirates to their first NCAA tournament in 1988 and their first Final Four in 1989. He was named Seton Hall's 'Coach of the Century.' He was an assistant coach for the 1992 U.S. Olympic 'Dream Team' that won gold, and an assistant for the San Antonio Spurs' three championships between 2003 and 2007.
In Their Own Story
On May 5, 2013, the Brooklyn Nets made a decision that would shape their future: interim head coach P. J. Carlesimo was not offered the full-time job. The Nets instead named Jason Kidd the head coach for the 2013–14 season on June 12, 2013. Carlesimo's name does not appear anywhere else in the source—not in the Pelicans' transactions, coaching changes, or any other section. His NBA coaching story, as far as this source tells it, ended that day in Brooklyn.
Reader's Guide
Carlesimo was head coach of the Portland Trail Blazers (1994–1997), Golden State Warriors (1997–1999), Seattle SuperSonics/Oklahoma City Thunder (2007–2008), and interim head coach of the Brooklyn Nets (2012–2013). He also served as an assistant coach for the San Antonio Spurs, Toronto Raptors, and New Jersey Nets.
Did You Know?
- Carlesimo was attacked by Latrell Sprewell during a Warriors practice in the 1997–98 season.
- He was the first head coach in Oklahoma City Thunder history.
- He led the Nets to a 35–19 record as interim head coach in 2012–13.
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