Los Angeles, CA– Mike D’Antoni has resigned as the head coach of the Los Angeles Lakers.
The announcement comes less than a week after his older brother Dan D’Antoni was named as Marshall’s new head coach.
Both D’Antoni brothers were interviewed for the job during the 40-day search by Athletics Director Mike Hamrick. In fact, Hamrick said he offered the job to two people, Mike and Dan D’Antoni.
Mike D’Antoni withdrew himself from consideration of the Marshall job on April 26th when it appeared the Lakers would retain him as the head coach. D’Antoni still had a year left on his contract and a was guaranteed $4 million.
However, D’Antoni wanted assurances from the Lakers on his future with the franchise.
“We’ve hit an insurmountable impasse and Mike will no longer be the Laker coach,” D’Antoni’s agent, Warren LeGarie, told USA TODAY Sports‘ Sam Amick and Jeff Zillgitt.
D’Antoni went 67-87 in two seasons with the Lakers and saw the team’s biggest stars play limited minutes. Dwight Howard left the Lakers in free agency after the 2012-13 season. Kobe Bryant and Steve Nash spent more time injured and on the sidelines than actually on the court the last two seasons. And his team struggled with chemistry as it limped to a franchise worst 27-55 record this past season.
“Given the circumstances, I don’t know that anybody could have done a better job than Mike did the past two seasons,” Lakers general manager Mitch Kupchak said in a news release. “On behalf of the Lakers, we thank Mike for the work ethic, professionalism and positive attitude that he brought to the team every day. We wish him the best of luck.”
In 12 seasons as a head coach D’Antoni has a 455-426 record with he Denver Nuggets, Phoenix Suns, New York Knicks and Lakers.