The Golden State Warriors believed they had a legitimate chance to help Stephen Curry win his fifth championship before the 6-foot-3 guard’s devastating Grade 1 hamstring strain in playoff round No. 2 against the Minnesota Timberwolves.
A month after the Timberwolves eliminated the Dubs from championship contention, the organization made a major coaching decision entering free agency.
“Warriors head video coordinator Lainn Wilson has been named the new head coach of the Santa Cruz Warriors,” NBC Sports Bay Area’s Dalton Johnson reported on X/Twitter Wednesday. “Wilson has been instrumental in scouting and analytics.”
“Nicholas Kerr (Steve Kerr’s son) will return to Golden State’s staff after serving as head coach in Santa Cruz for two seasons.”
Kerr played four collegiate basketball seasons with San Diego and one with California before beginning his coaching career in 2016.
The son of the four-time NBA champion Warriors head coach gained valuable experience early on with California (as a graduate assistant), the Warriors (as an assistant video coordinator, player development specialist, and head video coordinator), and the San Antonio Spurs (as a quality assurance assistant).
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However, he didn’t receive his big break until 2021, when he earned an assistant coaching position with the Warriors' G League affiliate.
In 2023, Kerr was promoted to head coach, guiding Santa Cruz to a 40-28 record over two seasons and helping the organization reach the postseason during both campaigns.
The 32-year-old will now get to rejoin the big dogs and prove he can thrive alongside his accomplished father starting next season.
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