Nets name Vaughn full-time head coach

The Brooklyn Nets named Jacque Vaughn their full-time head coach Wednesday.

Brooklyn was reportedly considering suspended Boston Celtics coach Ime Udoka but ultimately stuck with Vaughn, who had filled in on an interim basis following the departure of Steve Nash.

"Jacque's basketball acumen, competitiveness, and intimate knowledge of our team and organization make him the clear-cut best person to lead our group moving forward," general manager Sean Marks said in a statement. "He has a proven ability to get the best out of our players, hold them accountable, and play a cohesive, team-first style of basketball."

Vaughn is also under contract through next season, sources told ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski.

The Nets have gone 2-2 under Vaughn, picking up wins against the Charlotte Hornets and Washington Wizards but dropping close contests against the Chicago Bulls and Dallas Mavericks. The team went 2-5 under Nash to start the year before both sides mutually parted ways earlier in November.

Vaughn had a previous run as interim head coach in March 2020, temporarily succeeding Kenny Atkinson after Atkinson and the Nets also mutually agreed to split. Vaughn won his first two games at the helm before the season was suspended due to the COVID-19 pandemic. After the season resumed at the end of July, the Nets went 5-3 in the bubble but were swept in the first round of the playoffs by the Toronto Raptors.

Brooklyn was reportedly days away from finalizing a contract with Udoka, who's been suspended for the season by the Celtics for reportedly having an improper relationship with a subordinate female employee and using crude language in dialogue with her before that relationship. However, unspecified "strong voices" urged Nets owner Joe Tsai not to hire Udoka, basketball insider Marc Stein reported Sunday.