The Sacramento Kings qualified for the playoffs just once in the last 17 years. And 2023-24 was not one of them. But they certainly were improving. Their 46-36 record last season is only second to 2022-23 – the year they managed to move forward in the postseason. And it seems like the Kings have no plans to be left in the dust for what is sure to be a thrilling 2024-25 season.

The latest update on the ‘Beam Team’ is regarding their coaching changes. In the wake of Jordi Fernandez’s leave-taking, the position of associate head coach was vacant. Fernandez had left for Brooklyn to take on the head coach duties of the Nets. And the organization felt it prudent to offer the place to none other than 65-year-old Jay Triano.

The Sacramento Kings made sure to do some serious revamping of their coaching staff

With over 20 years of NBA coaching experience, Triano joined Mike Brown’s coaching staff in 2022. His NBA coaching career started with the Toronto Raptors, working as an assistant from 2002 to 2008. Following this, he served as the head coach from 2008 to 2011. At first, he simply took the place of then-head coach Sam Mitchell, who was absent due to the death of his father-in-law.

Thereafter, the Ontario native was named the interim head coach, followed by a proper contract as HC. With the new title also came the honor of being the first Canadian-born and Canadian head coach in NBA history. However, after a 22-60 record in the 2010-11 season, the Raptors did not pick up on Triano’s contract, opting to assign him a new role. But the Blazers were ready to add the Simon Fraser alum to their squad.

After four years as an assistant with Portland, Jay Triano moved to Phoenix, briefly taking on the head coach duties for the 2017-18 season, following which he arrived at Charlotte. Another four years with the Hornets and the 1981 8th-round draft pick settled in Sacramento. With the Kings, he thrived. Triano was instrumental in leading the team to achieve the highest offensive rating in NBA history during the 2022-23 season.

Aside from him, there were a few others who got an upgrade and a pair of new hires, as well. “The Kings say Jay Triano has been promoted to associate head coach. Jawad Williams has been elevated to assistant coach/director of player development. Charles Allen has been promoted to player development coach. Riccardo Fois and Jim Moran have been named assistant coaches,” ESPN senior writer Marc J. Spears tweeted.

What about the rest of them?

Jawad Williams and Charles Allen – Kings vets get a boost

Cleveland native Jawad Hason Williams was the next in line to get an upgrade. Having gone undrafted in 2005, Williams spent the better part of his basketball career playing overseas. Although the Clippers signed him as a free agent in 2006-07, the 2005 NCAA champion did not make it to the final roster. But Jawad finally got his chance when he joined the Cavs’ 2008 Summer League. However, none really stuck and the 2x B. League champion retired a journeyman.

Not too soon after, he joined Nagasaki Velca of the Japanese B. League as an assistant coach and Director of Player Development., following which Williams made his way to Sacramento as a player development coach. And now, the franchise promoted him to assistant coach/director of player development.

Charles Allen had arrived at the Sacramento Kings as a head video coordinator after spending three seasons with the Utah Jazz. Along with his coordinator duties, he also served as a special assistant to Coach Brown. In his time with the Jazz, he was entrusted with duties like player development, advanced scouting, and video analysis. And now, he reaped the benefits of his hard work.

Ricardo Fois, Sacramento’s resident Italian

The former 6’2 Pepperdine guard may not have made it in the NBA as a player. But Ricardo Fois made sure he kept an eye out for opportunities. Born in Olbia, Italy, Fois’ coaching career started at his alma mater as a graduate assistant from 2012 to 2014. Following this, Fois spent his next five seasons in Gonzaga as the director of analytics. Amidst this, in 2017, he also joined the Italian national team as an assistant coach, containing his duties to the present.

After the Bulldogs, Ricardo worked as a player development coach with the Suns for a year before going back to college basketball. From 2021 to now, that is until the Kings extended an offer, Fois served as an assistant coach to the Arizona Wildcats.

The Sacramento Kings bring in a bit of ‘Irish luck’ with Jim Moran

American-Irish by nationality and born in Syosset, New York, Jim Timothy Moran went undrafted in the 2001 NBA draft. But Moran found a home in Spain, playing the entirety of his 10-year basketball career (2001-2011) with Gran Canaria. In fact, his No. 20 jersey was retired by the Las Palmas-based club.

In 2013, Jim joined the Maine Celtics (then known as Maine Red Claws) as the player development coach. Soon after this, the 5x Copa Toyota champion saw his chance to move to the NBA via an opening with the Trail Blazers and joined the team as an associate video coordinator for the 2014-15 season. It truly was a golden opportunity, as he was promoted to a full-time assistant coach in 2015-16. From there, he continued in that role for six years.

However, a collective coaching staff change saw Jim Moran also get fired. The Detroit Pistons soon secured the now-45-year-old as a top assistant coach, following which he spent 2023-24 as the head coach of Rip City Remix. And now, he is back on the main stage with the Kings.

With this kind of coaching depth, Sacramento is no doubt gearing up to stand its ground in the extremely competitive Western Conference. October cannot come fast enough!