Trail Blazers and head coach Terry Stotts agree to part ways

The Portland Trail Blazers and Terry Stotts have mutually agreed to part ways, it was announced today by Neil Olshey, president of basketball operations.

“I have the utmost respect for Terry and what he has accomplished these past nine seasons,” said Olshey. “This was a difficult decision on both a personal and professional level but it’s in the best interest of the franchise to move in another direction. Terry will always hold a special place in the Trail Blazer family and the Portland community. We relied on the integrity, professionalism and consistency he brought to the job every day and we wish he and Jan nothing but the best.”

Stotts completed his ninth season as head coach of the Trail Blazers in 2020-21 after guiding Portland to a 42-30 record and an eighth consecutive postseason appearance.

A 27-year coaching veteran, Portland introduced Stotts as the franchise’s 14th head coach on August 7, 2012. He is the second-winningest coach in franchise history after Jack Ramsay. Overall, Stotts holds a career coaching record of 517- 486 (.515) and a 402-318 (.558) mark with Portland.

“We are all grateful for Terry’s contributions and his nine years with the Trail Blazers,” said Jody Allen, chair of the Trail Blazers. “I appreciate his steadfast dedication to the players, the game, and the broader Portland community. We wish him the best in his future endeavors.”

Blazers and coach Terry Stotts agree to contract extension

Blazers and coach Terry Stotts agree to contract extension

As expected, the Portland Trail Blazers and head coach Terry Stotts have agreed to a contract extension.

“Terry has been an outstanding partner and this extension represents our desire to build a model of stability and consistency,” said Olshey.

Stotts completed his fourth season as head coach of the Trail Blazers in 2015-16, going 44-38 to solidify his third consecutive winning season and third straight postseason berth, despite not returning four of five starters from 2014-15. Portland defeated the Los Angeles Clippers in the first round of the 2016 NBA Playoffs to advance to the Western Conference Semifinals for the second time in the past three seasons.

“I am very pleased that we were able to agree on a contract extension and look forward to continuing the progress that we have made,” said Stotts. “As an organization, we have developed a culture and continuity that is exciting to be a part of, and I could not be more appreciative of the players and coaching staff.

“There is not a better fan base in the NBA. Jan and I love Portland and are extremely happy to call it our home.”

Runner-up for the 2015-16 NBA Coach of the Year award, Stotts was named the NBA’s Western Conference Coach of the Month in February of 2016 after the Trail Blazers finished the month with a 9-2 record.

In 2013-14, Stotts led the Trail Blazers to a 54-win season, marking the largest improvement in franchise history and the sixth-best record all-time. Portland won its first playoff series in 14 seasons, defeating the Houston Rockets in six games.

A 21-year coaching veteran, Portland introduced Stotts as the franchise’s 14th head coach on August 7, 2012. He has compiled a 182-146 (.555) record in four seasons at the helm in Portland, good for fifth-most wins in team history, and has a 297-314 (.486) overall NBA coaching record with Atlanta, Milwaukee and Portland.