The Charlotte 49ers made the best of a bad situation today and hired Charlotte Hornets assistant Mark Price to be their head coach. Price was signed to a five year deal according to reports by Charlotte Observer’s Dave Scott and Rich Bonnell. This will be Price’s first head coaching job since a stint in Australia almost ten years ago. He is replacing Alan Major, who left by mutual agreement.
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Price has been serving as a shooting coach among other things for the Hornets. He was one of the main players in the rebuilding of Michael Kidd-Gilchrist’s jumper and adjusting Kemba Walker to more pick and roll play. He is one of a number of folks with ties to Michael Jordan on the staff.
The plusses that Price brings to Charlotte include a good name, point guard development, and a knowledge of what it takes to get it done in the pros. Price built his playing reputation at Georgia Tech and with the Cleveland Cavs as a good point guard and terrific shooter. Any backcourt player could clearly benefit from those.
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Attracting good point guard talent will be important for the 49ers next season as senior Pierria Henry leaves the team to graduation. Price should be able to find one or coach one up to meet his needs. The next big 49ers point guard might already be on the roster, it is just that Price has not unleashed him yet.
Outside of the point guard position, Price can coach shooting. The current college game sees more guard dominated shooting teams than it does pro-style NBA type teams. Price will work to get the most out of those three point attempts.
Betsided
Finally Price has a name that people can latch on to. Maybe recruits will not know he is, but their parents will. There is always the ACC Vault to remind them.
The big question mark is what kind of staff will Price assemble? He will need recruiting help at first and he will need some one more familiar with the college game. Perhaps those are the same people. It will be fun to watch and see exactly what develops.