Daigneault was an assistant coach for the Thunder throughout the 2019-20 season and was previously the head coach of Oklahoma City's G League affiliate.
The Oklahoma City Thunder have promoted assistant coach Mark Daigneault to head coach, according to ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski.
Daigneault was an assistant coach for the Thunder throughout the 2019-20 season and was previously the head coach of Oklahoma City's G League affiliate, the Oklahoma City Blue, between 2014 and 2019. While with the Blue, he was 143-107 with four playoff appearances and eight players called up to NBA rosters.
The 35-year-old Daigneault replaces Billy Donovan, who parted ways with the Thunder shortly after the team's first-round playoff exit and was later hired as the next head coach of the Chicago Bulls. Daigneault also previously worked under Donovan at the University of Florida.
Prior to arriving at UF, the Leominster, Ma. native spent three seasons as an assistant coach at Holy Cross. He graduated from of the University of Connecticut and served as a student manager with the Huskies under longtime head coach Jim Calhoun from 2003-07.
In taking over the Thunder head coaching job, Daigneault inherits a roster that could be in some flux. Star point guard Chris Paul remains the topic of trade conversations, with ESPN reporting Tuesday night that the Suns are the latest team that has expressed interest in dealing for the future Hall of Famer. According to ESPN, Daigneault's ability to connect with players, teach the game and make various adjustments are part of what appealed to Oklahoma City.
Oklahoma City went 44-28 in 2019-20 and has the No. 21 and No. 25 picks in the upcoming 2020 NBA draft.