GM Vandeweghe to coach Nets rest of season

EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. -- New Jersey Nets general manager Kiki Vandeweghe will serve as the team's coach for the rest of the season.

The Nets made the official announcement Tuesday morning.

The Nets fired Lawrence Frank, their coach for 6½ seasons, on Sunday morning. They lost to the Lakers under interim coach Tom Barrise that night, tying the 1988-89 Miami Heat and 1999 Los Angeles Clippers by losing 17 consecutive games to open a season.

Barrise will coach again Wednesday against Dallas, when the Nets can set an NBA record with an 18th straight loss to begin a season. Then Vandeweghe will take over at practice Thursday.

Former NBA head coach Del Harris will join the Nets as Vandeweghe's assistant. The pair previously worked together in Dallas.

The Nets interviewed candidates Monday and decided to go with Vandeweghe, who previously worked as an assistant with the Mavericks but has never been a head coach.

He takes over an injury-depleted roster that wasn't competitive during most of its four-game trip out West.