Trail Blazers name Terry Stotts head coach

Aug 8, 2012 - 3:20 AM Portland, OR (Sports Network) - The Portland Trail Blazers named Terry Stotts as the team's head coach on Tuesday.

Stotts, an 18-year coaching veteran, spent the past four seasons as an assistant for the Dallas Mavericks, helping the franchise capture its first NBA Championship in 2011. He replaces interim coach Kaleb Canales, who took over after Nate McMillan was fired in March.

This will be the third head coaching stop for the 54-year-old Stotts. He previously held the post in Milwaukee (2005-07) and Atlanta (2002-04), compiling a combined 115-168 record.

"Terry is one of the elite offensive minds in the NBA, has extensive experience with multiple organizations and was instrumental in the Dallas Mavericks winning the 2011 NBA Championship," said Portland general manager Neil Olshey. "He understands the vision for the future of the franchise, appreciates the process involved and will create an environment on the court that will produce championship habits."

Prior to his initial head coaching gig, Stotts spent 10 years as an assistant under George Karl (six with Seattle and four with Milwaukee).

"I'm very pleased to be a part of a great franchise in a beautiful city with such a proud history," said Stotts. "I look forward to working hard with Neil and our players toward the ultimate goal of bringing another championship to Portland."

Stotts, who was a second-round pick by Houston in 1980 and played professionally in both Europe and the CBA, takes over a Trail Blazers team which went 28-38 during the lockout-shortened 2011-12 campaign and failed to make the playoffs for the first time since 2007-08.