Nets Interim HC Pays Emotional Tribute to Demised Family After 1st Win Post Jacque Vaughn Era

The Brooklyn Nets finally got their first win post the Jacque Vaughn era tonight. Mikal Bridges and Co. blew out an extremely shorthanded Memphis Grizzlies squad 111-86. Tonight’s win also added a victory to the bag of the Nets’ interim head coach Kevin Ollie. He is now 1-2 as the Nets interim head coach. Ollie was emotional after his first win and paid tribute to his demised family members in the post-game interview.

When asked what he would do with tonight’s game ball, Ollie said, “Definitely gonna touch it and put it up for my mom in heaven, and my sister in heaven. I know they were watching over me.” Ollie’s parents got divorced when he was 7. Although Kevin visited his father frequently, he was raised by his mother, Dorothy Olly, along with his elder sisters, Vita and Rhonda Ollie. Therefore, they had a huge influence on Kevin’s life.

The interim head coach also thanked Jacque Vaughn for believing in him and giving him this opportunity. “I owe it all to him.” Kevin Ollie became the Nets’ interim head coach after they fired Jacque Vaughn last week.

Vaughn had been part of the Brooklyn Nets as an assistant coach since 2016. He got the head coaching job in 2022. Vaughn coached the Nets for less than two seasons and finished with a 64-65 record. He also led the Nets to the playoffs last season but got swept in the first round. With Kevin Ollie taking the reins from Vaughn, the Nets are now 11th in the Eastern Conference standings with a 22-35 record.

Kevin Ollie has a tough task ahead

Even though Ollie celebrated his first win as the Nets’ interim head coach tonight, he has a long road ahead. The Nets got an easy win tonight because the Grizzlies played without most of their superstars. But that will not be the case every night. The Nets might not even make it to the playoffs this season the way they have been playing. It is still uncertain if the Nets will make Kevin Ollie the permanent head coach or give the responsibility to someone else.

Read More: Mikal Bridges Breaks Silence on Knicks Rumors Post Jacque Vaughn Era in Brooklyn

However, Ollie is more than qualified to handle the responsibility. Before Ollie became a part of the Brooklyn Nets, he spent six seasons as the head coach of the University of Connecticut. He was there from 2012 to 2018 and even led the UConn Huskies to the NCAA Championship in 2014. This might be Kevin Ollie’s time to finally prove his worth in the NBA and elevate his coaching career to the next level. But first, Ollie will have to help the Nets win more games and lead them into the playoffs.