Warriors hire Steve Kerr to replace the fired Mark Jackson

Jackson left the television booth in 2011 when he was hired by Golden State. After a poor first season, Jackson led the Warriors to two straight postseason berths. But despite 51 wins this year, Jackson was fired due to an ongoing clash with the front office. Jackson has been replaced by Steve Kerr, another television analyst who had no head coaching experience prior to getting hired by Golden State.

Steve Kerr has accepted a five-year, $25 million offer to become the next head coach of the Golden State Warriors, according to TNT’s David Aldridge. Kerr was considered to be the front runner for the Knicks’ head coaching vacancy after new president of basketball operations Phil Jackson made it clear his former guard was the franchise’s top choice for the job. Golden State’s move to hire Kerr comes one day after another candidate for the job, Stan Van Gundy, accepted an offer from the Detroit Pistons.

Kerr has no head coaching experience, but has been around the NBA since his 15-year-old playing career ended. He is currently serving as a color commentator for TNT, as he has done on-and-off since he retired as a player. Kerr does have front office experience, serving as the general manager of the Phoenix Suns from 2007-2010. He was the behind trading Shawn Marion to the Miami Heat in exchange for Shaquille O’Neal in 2008.

The New York Post reported on Friday that Kerr had not ironed out any contract details with the Knicks, but it’s expected he could be pushing for a five-year deal worth around $6 million annually. Adding to the lengthy timeline that’s only helping the Knicks and their wealth is that Jackson said he’s OK taking his time in adding the next coach officially. Kerr, meanwhile, has maintained that he wants to finish out his contract working with TNT as an NBA analyst.

Kerr might be hard to pull out of New York’s grips because of his relationship with Jackson, though he does have a friendship with Warriors owner Joe Lacob and worked under team president Rick Welts during their time with the Phoenix Suns. Though it would be appealing for Kerr to remain near his family on the West Coast, the Knicks are apparently willing to overpay to get their top target.

Former Golden State Warriors coach Mark Jackson went on a radio tour Wednesday in response to being fired. While he tried to hold back, his answers, particularly regarding the use of unnamed sources, were very critical of the organization.

“I wake up absolutely relieved, because there are no more unnamed sources that can affect me,” Jackson said in an interview on 95.7 The Game.