The Nets confirm Jordi Fernández as their new coach

The Brooklyn Nets have made official what was an open secret: Jordi Fernández will be the new coach of the franchise starting next season. The 41-year-old Badalona-born coach thus becomes the first Spanish head coach in NBA history. The news had already been reported by the American press, but the Nets’ announcement had to wait for the Sacramento Kings to be eliminated, bringing their season to end.

Right time to make Fernández announcement official

That happened in the play-in, as the Californians lost to the Pelicans in Game 2 and were eliminated, after having beaten the Warriors in the opening round. Fernández was, until now, Mike Brown’s assistant coach in Sacramento. Now he will take charge of his own bench for the Nets.

Fernández joined the Kings in August 2022 and made his way up the ranks to become an associate head coach with the team by the end of the year. He started out in 2009 with the Cleveland Cavaliers in player development then spent six seasons working with Michael Malone’s staff for the Denver Nuggets, which included time with former Kings head coach Mike Malone.

In June 2023, he replaced Nick Nurse as the head coach of Canada’s men’s basketball team, leading them to the bronze medal at the FIBA World Cup. He is regarded as one of the most accomplished assistant coaches currently working in the NBA and his name has been mentioned several times for high-profile coaching positions during recent months, including top job with the Charlotte Hornets.