July 18, 2005
Weiss
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SEATTLE - The Seattle SuperSonics today named longtime assistant coach
Bob Weiss as the franchise’s 13th head coach, Sonics General Manager Rick Sund announced.
“Bob’s extensive coaching experience with the Sonics and elsewhere in the NBA was a major plus in our decision,” said Sund. “He’s a great X’s and O’s man and relates well with our current group of very talented players. Bob is an excellent choice to further build on the success he’s helped this young team already achieve.”
Weiss, 63, has been a Sonics assistant coach since 1994. He was originally a member of the Sonics organization as a player when he became part of the franchise’s 1967 inaugural roster. He was acquired by Seattle in the club’s expansion draft from Philadelphia. The 2005-06 season will mark Weiss’ 39th in the NBA and his 27th as a coach.
“I’m thrilled to be named head coach of the Seattle SuperSonics and can’t wait to get started on what I’m confident will be another successful era for this franchise,” said Weiss. “It’s an honor to take the coaching reins at an organization I very much respect and one where I’ve dedicated the last 11 years of my basketball career.”
As a player, Weiss was originally drafted by the 76ers with the 21st overall pick of the 1965 NBA Draft after averaging 16.3 points per game his senior year at Penn State. Overall, the 6-3 guard played 12 years in the NBA and was a member of nine playoff teams, including the 1966-67 NBA Champion Philadelphia 76ers.
After retiring as a player following the 1976-77 season, Bob began his coaching career as an assistant with the Buffalo Braves. He spent two years with the Braves (including the franchise’s first year in San Diego after it moved from Buffalo). In 1980, Weiss joined the expansion Dallas Mavericks where he served as an assistant under Dick Motta for six seasons before accepting his first head-coaching job with the San Antonio Spurs in 1986.
Weiss spent two years with the Spurs, where he led San Antonio to a playoff berth in 1988. He then spent one season as an assistant coach with the expansion Orlando Magic before returning to the head-coaching ranks with the Atlanta Hawks in 1990.
In three seasons with the Hawks, Weiss compiled a record of 124-122 and led Atlanta to two playoff berths. On July 21, 1993, he was named head coach of the Los Angeles Clippers. Weiss spent one year with Los Angeles before joining the Sonics as an assistant.
Born May 7, 1942, in Easton, Pa., Weiss graduated from Penn State in 1965 with a degree in physical education. Bob and his wife, Tracy, have two children, Stuart and Grace.
