Sixers hire Brett Brown

[Andrew]

Spurs assistant Brett Brown hired as Sixers head coach

He's American, so the Aussie media can't celebrate another Australian-born individual in US sports, but I believe he is the first former NBL head coach to land an NBA head coaching gig. Apparently it's a four year guaranteed contract, though it remains to be seen whether he'll be on the sidelines for the entire duration.

[koberulz]

I believe he is the first former NBL head coach to land an NBA head coaching gig.

Mike Dunlap.

Boti Nagy's take

[Andrew]

I wasn't aware of that. First former Australian national coach to get an NBA head coaching gig, perhaps?

In any event, kudos and good luck to him.

[Spree#8]

About time. He's been rumored to be the top candidate since the draft and it's a good hire. A player development background and learning from Popovich should definitely benefit the Sixers. Hopefully he's not afraid of starting his head coaching career with a record of 15-67 or something like that, maybe that's why he wanted a guaranteed 4-year deal so badly. I wonder what happens to Michael Curry now. Didn't want him as head coach, don't mind him keeping his job as an assistant. He is still under contract for next season, so I guess he's staying in Philly for now. Anyway, with Hinkie and Brown in place, the long 2 era in Philadelphia is probably finally over, but next season they'll be terribly painful to watch either way.

Brett Brown is the 8th head coach the Sixers have had since Larry Brown's departure in 2003 and another assistant the Spurs have lost this summer, by the way.