Carlesimo to return to Sonics

May 1, 2008 - 8:29 PM BELLEVUE, Washington (Ticker) -- The Seattle SuperSonics announced Thursday that P.J. Carlesimo will return next season, ending speculation about the embattled head coach's future.

Carlesimo's job security came into question two weeks ago, when Sonics general manager Sam Presti refused to comment on the situation during his season-ending news conference.

But Presti gave Carlesimo a vote of confidence at a news conference Thursday, claiming that he "absolutely" will return to coach the Sonics next season.

Seattle struggled to a 20-62 record this past season - Carlesimo's first with the team. It was the Sonics' worst record in the franchise's 41-year history.

The Sonics may want Carlesimo back, but where he coaches in 2008-09 is still up in the air.

New Sonics owner Clay Bennett intends to move the franchise to Oklahoma City, but the city of Seattle has sued in an attempt to force the team to honor the final two years of its lease at KeyArena.

Carlesimo was hired by the Sonics on July 5, 2007, when he accepted his first head-coaching job since he was fired by the Golden State Warriors midway through the 1999-00 season.

Carlesimo had served as an assistant under Gregg Popovich in San Antonio for the previous five seasons.