The Los Angeles Lakers have hired Chuck Person and Quin Snyder to serve as assistant coaches, it was announced today by Lakers General Manager Mitch Kupchak.
After spending the last two years working with the Lakers organization, Person will remain with the team serving as an assistant coach under Head Coach Mike Brown. Person, who spent the 2009-2010 season assisting Phil Jackson and his staff during their championship run, was hired on as an assistant coach at the start of the 2010-11 season.
“I’m very pleased to add Chuck to my coaching staff,” said Lakers Head Coach Mike Brown. “I’ve seen firsthand his dedication and his desire to making the players he coaches better. The knowledge of the game that he has from his experience, both as a coach and as a former NBA player, is an invaluable asset that he brings to the team and I look forward to working with him once again.”
Before joining the Lakers, the Alabama native spent the previous four seasons as an assistant coach for the Sacramento Kings (2007-09) and Indiana Pacers (2005-07). Prior to that, he served three seasons as a special assistant to the CEO/president of basketball operations for Indiana, working with Pacers and Indiana Fever (WNBA) players, both on and off the court. Additionally, he spent one season with the Cleveland Cavaliers before joining the Pacers’ coaching staff.
“Knowing Coach Brown since our time with the Pacers, not only couldn’t I be happier with the opportunity to work alongside him again, but I’m thrilled to return to a franchise that I consider to the best in professional sports. Having been on staff for the Lakers’ 2010 championship run, I know what this team is capable of. I look forward to assisting Coach Brown in helping our players regain that form and realize their potential.”
An alumnus of Auburn University who concluded his collegiate basketball career as the Tigers’ all-time leading scorer, Person was selected by the Indiana Pacers with the fourth overall pick in the 1986 NBA Draft. Coming to be known as “The Rifleman,” he was named Rookie of the Year after averaging 18.8 points and a career-high 8.2 rebounds in his first season with the Pacers and ultimately concluded his 13-year NBA playing career with averages of 14.7 points, 5.1 rebounds and 2.8 assists in 943 games.
Snyder joins the Lakers staff after spending last season serving as an assistant coach with the Philadelphia 76ers. Prior to his stint with the Sixers, Snyder spent three years as head coach of the Austin Toros in the NBA D-League. Snyder compiled a record of 94-56 (.627) with the Toros while guiding them to the playoffs in all three seasons he was at the helm, including an appearance in the championship game in 2008. He earned the D-League’s Dennis Johnson Coach of the Year award in 2008-09.
“With the addition of Quin to my coaching staff, we’ve added someone who has an extremely intelligent basketball mind,” said Lakers Head Coach Mike Brown. “Quin’s most valuable asset, however, is his passion for coaching and his ability to get the most out of the players he coaches. I’m extremely pleased to have him on my staff.”
Prior to his time with the Toros, Snyder was the head coach at the University of Missouri for seven seasons, posting a mark of 128-96 (.571). Under Snyder, the Tigers made six consecutive postseason appearances, including four trips to the NCAA Tournament and a berth in the Elite Eight.
“I am grateful to Mike Brown and the entire Lakers organization for providing me with this opportunity,” said Snyder. “I’m looking forward to fulfilling whatever role I’m asked to assume. I could not be more excited to have this unique opportunity.”
Snyder, who played for Duke from 1986-89 and served on the coaching staff from 1993-99, took part in five Final Fours – three as a player (1986, 1988, 1989) and two more as a coach (1994, 1999). In 1991, after a year at Duke Law School, Snyder simultaneously enrolled in Duke’s Fuqua School of Business. Taking time off from both programs a year later to serve as an assistant coach for the Los Angeles Clippers ( 1992-93), Snyder returned to Duke in 1993 and served as an administrative assistant coach under head coach Mike Krzyzewski for the next two seasons while completing his JD and MBA degrees. Upon graduation, he became a full-time assistant coach at Duke (1995-97) and was subsequently promoted to associate head coach for the 1997-98 and 1998-99 seasons.
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