EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. (AP) _ The New Jersey Nets announced Monday
head coach Lawrence Frank has signed a multi-year contract
extension.
Terms were not disclosed.
Frank has taken the team to the playoffs each of his four seasons
with the team, but the Nets have failed to advance beyond the second
round each time.
They finished 41-41 last season, and lost in the second round to
the Cleveland Cavaliers, the eventual conference champion.
With the re-signing of all-star guard Vince Carter, and returning
stars Jason Kidd and Richard Jefferson, Frank will have a familiar
nucleus for the upcoming season.
``Lawrence has done an outstanding job, and we feel confident
that he will continue to provide the leadership so invaluable to the
success of our team in the future,'' Nets president Rod Thorn said.
In a statement, Frank said, ``I am truly fortunate for the
support from this first-class organization.''
Frank has been head coach since midway through the 2003-04
season. His record of 157-129 (.549) makes him the franchise's
winningest coach. His playoff record is 18-20 (.474).
