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ShareBilly King Named Team President; Dave Coskey Named President of New Comcast-Spectacor Marketing Division
Larry Brown Steps Down As 76ers Coach And Vice President Of Basketball Operations
PHILADELPHIA - MAY 26, 2003 - Comcast-Spectacor Chairman Ed Snider announced today that Larry Brown has resigned as the Philadelphia 76ers head coach and vice president of basketball operations. A search for Brown's successor will begin immediately.
“Larry Brown is a great coach and a good friend, and on behalf of everyone in the 76ers organization, I wish him the very best,” said Snider. “He did a terrific job with the team, and helped restore the 76ers as one of the best organizations in basketball, and 76ers fans everywhere owe him a debt of gratitude.
“We will begin the search for a new coach immediately,” Snider said, adding that the 76ers are a much better team today than they were the day Brown was hired six years ago. “We are committed to building on what we believe is a solid foundation, and our goal remains the same: winning an NBA championship.”
Brown, who was hired on May 5, 1997, as the 17th head coach in Philadelphia franchise history, recently completed his sixth season with the 76ers. He guided the franchise to the playoffs for the fifth-straight season and achieved a record of 255-205 (.554), ranking him fourth among the 76ers all-time coaches for victories.
“It has been a real privilege to work for Ed Snider and the 76ers organization,” Brown said. “This was not an easy decision because it has been such a great working relationship.
“But I believe I’ve taken this team as far as I can, and it’s time for a change,” Brown said. “Shelly and I both want to thank everyone in the organization, because they have been terrific. And I especially want to thank the fans, who are the most knowledgeable and passionate fans in the nation. You made us feel at home in Philadelphia, and we’ll never forget you.”
In conjunction with the news of Brown’s resignation, Snider also announced a reorganization of duties among key Comcast-Spectacor executives.
“One of the great things to happen during the seven years is we have gained some wonderfully talented people, and we believe that it is time for this core group of individuals to take a larger role in the operations of our teams,” Snider said.
Snider announced that 76ers’ General Manager Billy King has been named president of the team. King, 37, came to the 76ers with Brown in 1997 as vice president of basketball administration. He was promoted to general manager in April 2000. He has been a key figure in rebuilding the basketball operations of the organization, and in his new job, King will serve as the chief executive officer of the 76ers, as well as general manager.
“Billy King has developed a league-wide reputation as one of the best and the brightest young executives in the game today, and he has earned the right to lead the day-to-day operations of the 76ers’ organization,” Snider said.
Snider also announced that Dave Coskey, currently the team’s executive vice president, will expand his duties and has been named president of a new Comcast-Spectacor Marketing Division. He will now lead the marketing and public relations activities of all teams, including the 76ers, the Philadelphia Flyers, and the Philadelphia Phantoms. Coskey, 44, came to the 76ers as vice president of communications in 1996, and has been a leading force in creating a range of innovative and fan-friendly activities which have helped the 76ers enjoy outstanding fan support over the last six years.
“Dave Coskey has done an outstanding job in helping to win back the fans and dramatically increase the 76ers’ visibility throughout the league,” Snider said. “The 76ers have become a blueprint for any team that is looking to build and solidify fan support, and our goal is to expand these activities and develop a unified approach to the marketing of the 76ers, the Flyers, and the Phantoms.
“We've wanted to integrate Dave into our other operations for some time. We're now comfortable that we've found a way to expand his duties and utilize his talent and expertise in helping us brand all Comcast-Spectacor teams.”
“Larry Brown is a great coach and a good friend, and on behalf of everyone in the 76ers organization, I wish him the very best,” said Snider. “He did a terrific job with the team, and helped restore the 76ers as one of the best organizations in basketball, and 76ers fans everywhere owe him a debt of gratitude.
“We will begin the search for a new coach immediately,” Snider said, adding that the 76ers are a much better team today than they were the day Brown was hired six years ago. “We are committed to building on what we believe is a solid foundation, and our goal remains the same: winning an NBA championship.”
Brown, who was hired on May 5, 1997, as the 17th head coach in Philadelphia franchise history, recently completed his sixth season with the 76ers. He guided the franchise to the playoffs for the fifth-straight season and achieved a record of 255-205 (.554), ranking him fourth among the 76ers all-time coaches for victories.
“It has been a real privilege to work for Ed Snider and the 76ers organization,” Brown said. “This was not an easy decision because it has been such a great working relationship.
“But I believe I’ve taken this team as far as I can, and it’s time for a change,” Brown said. “Shelly and I both want to thank everyone in the organization, because they have been terrific. And I especially want to thank the fans, who are the most knowledgeable and passionate fans in the nation. You made us feel at home in Philadelphia, and we’ll never forget you.”
In conjunction with the news of Brown’s resignation, Snider also announced a reorganization of duties among key Comcast-Spectacor executives.
“One of the great things to happen during the seven years is we have gained some wonderfully talented people, and we believe that it is time for this core group of individuals to take a larger role in the operations of our teams,” Snider said.
Snider announced that 76ers’ General Manager Billy King has been named president of the team. King, 37, came to the 76ers with Brown in 1997 as vice president of basketball administration. He was promoted to general manager in April 2000. He has been a key figure in rebuilding the basketball operations of the organization, and in his new job, King will serve as the chief executive officer of the 76ers, as well as general manager.
“Billy King has developed a league-wide reputation as one of the best and the brightest young executives in the game today, and he has earned the right to lead the day-to-day operations of the 76ers’ organization,” Snider said.
Snider also announced that Dave Coskey, currently the team’s executive vice president, will expand his duties and has been named president of a new Comcast-Spectacor Marketing Division. He will now lead the marketing and public relations activities of all teams, including the 76ers, the Philadelphia Flyers, and the Philadelphia Phantoms. Coskey, 44, came to the 76ers as vice president of communications in 1996, and has been a leading force in creating a range of innovative and fan-friendly activities which have helped the 76ers enjoy outstanding fan support over the last six years.
“Dave Coskey has done an outstanding job in helping to win back the fans and dramatically increase the 76ers’ visibility throughout the league,” Snider said. “The 76ers have become a blueprint for any team that is looking to build and solidify fan support, and our goal is to expand these activities and develop a unified approach to the marketing of the 76ers, the Flyers, and the Phantoms.
“We've wanted to integrate Dave into our other operations for some time. We're now comfortable that we've found a way to expand his duties and utilize his talent and expertise in helping us brand all Comcast-Spectacor teams.”
