Nets hire Steve Nash - not Gregg Popovich - as their next head coach

Spurs fans can rest easy: Gregg Popovich will not be the next coach of the Brooklyn Nets. Per ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowksi, the Nets have signed Hall of Fame guard Steve Nash to a four-year head coaching contract.

The Pop-to-Nets rumors were being pushed as recently as Monday, when R.C. Buford’s comment that he had heard nothing from his head coach about potentially leaving was seemingly enough to leave the door open in the eyes of some.

Nets GM Sean Marks released the following statement on their hiring of Nash:

“After meeting with a number of highly accomplished coaching candidates from diverse backgrounds, we knew we had a difficult decision to make. In Steve we see a leader, communicator and mentor who will garner the respect of our players. I have had the privilege to know Steve for many years. One of the great on-court leaders in our game, I have witnessed firsthand his basketball acumen and selfless approach to prioritize team success. His instincts for the game, combined with an inherent ability to communicate with and unite players towards a common goal, will prepare us to compete at the highest levels of the league. We are excited to welcome Steve, Lilla, Lola, Bella, Matteo, Luca and Ruby to Brooklyn.”

There’s no telling if one of those “highly accomplished coaching candidates” was in fact Pop. Marks frequently downplayed the rumors that they were interested in his former coach, although that doesn’t mean he didn’t call and check at some point, maybe even before the rumors surfaced. Regardless, the media can move on from this hot topic now, and Spurs fans can continue to look forward to what next season may bring.