New Coach Brings Optimism

Glen Taylor and Kevin McHale Press Conference
Part I

Part II

Part III

No introduction needed.

You know the face. You know the illustrious career. You know the Minnesota background.

You know Kevin McHale.

The unknown is whether McHale can make the transition from Hall of Fame player to successful head coach.

"I put the guys together. The responsibility falls on me, if it doesn't work it will be on me," McHale said. "The plan remains the same, we have a lot of cap room, we have multiple picks, and nothing is going to change. The only change is I'm going to spend all my time coaching. For me, I thought I would jump in with both feet with this."

The Wolves are off to a rough start to the 2008-09 season with a 4-15 record that started with promise after a thrilling opening night victory against the Kings. However, the lack of improvement led to the dismissal of head coach Randy Wittman on Monday after compiling a 38-105 mark in two years with the team. Wittman did have to deal with numerous potholes in the early part of the season. Second-year forward, Corey Brewer was lost for the year due to a torn right ACL against the Denver Nuggets. Just two games later, Mike Miller suffered a severe ankle sprain in the loss to Orlando and subsequently missed games against the Nets and Clippers. The struggles are evident with a five-game losing streak including a 23-point loss to the Clippers. An exchange between McHale and owner Glen Taylor would follow the defeat on Saturday night.

"Glen looked at me and said that was an unacceptable performance, effort wise." I said it's hard to argue against that. First of all, we have to rehabilitate the effort but I think we can do that pretty easily. Then we have to get our guys playing confidently, getting out there and playing the style of ball that fits them," McHale said.

Taylor felt McHale was the best fit to push Minnesota in the right direction. In 2004-05, McHale stepped in to replace Flip Saunders for the remaining 31 games. McHale displayed an ability to lead from the sidelines as the team finished the season 19-12, just one win shy of making the playoffs.

"I'm still confident that we can have a good season even though we have lost the first quarter of the season. My expectations are high, so therefore I wanted to select somebody who I thought could step in, give guidance and make this a successful season. I didn't want to give up on this season," Taylor said.

The Wolves owner has been looking for the right combination since the 2004-year, where the Wolves reached the Western Conference Finals. Flip Saunders was fired in February of 2005 and Minnesota has employed Dwane Casey and Wittman since the 04' playoff run. The rebuilding stage is in full force behind the Kevin Garnett trade, the draft pick of Kevin Love, and several young-fresh faces on the squad this year.

"I just think there are a number of issues that have to be addressed and coaching is an important one but not the only one," Taylor said.

Al Jefferson is considered the cornerstone of the franchise after the trade that sent Garnett to the Boston Celtics. Jefferson is averaging 21.3 points and 10.1 rebounds a game to lead the Wolves. McHale will continue to run the offense through the star player.

"Of course we will play off Al but we have to get some pace in the game offensively. We have to change things up defensively but it's going to be a progression. I anticipate the team flowing up and down and playing with a little bit more of an open style," McHale said.

The three-time NBA champion joined the Wolves franchise fifteen years ago as a special assistant before moving to assistant general manager. By accepting the new position of head coach, McHale will relinquish the title of vice president of basketball operations. In the 20th season for the Wolves, McHale will now have a singular focus in trying to lead the team back to the playoffs.

"I feel very comfortable moving forward, knowing it's going to be a full-time job. Again, last time I was taking over for 31 games and I knew I wasn't going to do it anymore. Now I'm taking it over for an extended period of time, so I'm just going to fall into the mode and enjoy it."

Minnesota fans have witnessed the changes to the court, the logo, and uniforms. Add a new head coach to the list of changes in the 20th anniversary year.

---

Related Stories:

The official press release of the coaching change.

Sign up for WolvesWire, the official team e-newsletter for breaking team news, special ticket offers and exclusive presales.

Check out the podcasts page for exclusive interviews from Wolves players and coaches.