News

Trail Blazers Name Chauncey Billups As New Head Coach

The Portland Trail Blazers named Chauncey Billups as their new head coach. The team announced the hiring Sunday night.


“Chauncey is a proven leader with an elite basketball IQ that has won everywhere he has been,” Neil Olshey, president of basketball operations said. “He is prepared for the challenge of developing the Championship habits and strategic approach we need to achieve the expectations and goals for our franchise.”

Billups will be introduced at a team news conference in Portland. Billups was offered the job on Friday night, and the sides had been progressing on a deal to replace former coach Terry Stotts over the weekend. Olshey and Billups’ agent, Andy Miller of Klutch Sports, finalized the contract terms on Sunday. The deal is for five years and includes a team option on the last season.

Portland’s move to hire Billups is a clear effort from the franchise to maximize superstar Damian Lillards prime years. Under former coach Sotts, the Trail Blazers only advanced to two conference semifinals and a conference final appearance.

Subscribe to our free weekly newsletter!

A week of sports news in your in-box.
We find the sports news you need to know, so you don't have to.

Before making a formal offer on Friday night, Portland continued investigating a 1997 rape allegation against Billups. No criminal charges were brought, but Billups settled a civil lawsuit filed by the woman.

Billups will be tasked with helping to shape a Trail Blazers defense that ranked amongst the worst in the league. The newly hired coach will expect to continue building on the team’s top offense of Lillard and CJ McCollum.

“Portland is a special place and a unique franchise,” Billups said in a statement. “As a player, I always loved playing here because the passion and knowledge of the fans brought out the very best in me as a competitor. Now I’m looking forward to being on the other side of that energy and engaging with the Portland community on a whole other level.”

Allan Perez

Recent Posts

Geno Auriemma Breaks All-Time Coaching Wins Record In UConn Win Over Fairleigh Dickinson

UConn women's basketball coach Geno Auriemma made history Wednesday, earning his 1,217th career victory in…

17 hours ago

Braves’ Chris Sale Wins N.L. Cy Young Award After Stunning Comeback Season

Atlanta Braves ace Chris Sale was named the 2024 N.L. Cy Young Award winner Wednesday,…

17 hours ago

Paul George Exits With Knee Injury As 76ers Fall To 2-12 In Loss To Grizzlies

With their big three finally back in action Wednesday, the Philadelphia 76ers suffered another setback…

2 days ago

VIDEO: Nike Pays Tribute to Rafael Nadal With 30-Foot Projection In Front of Eiffel Tower

https://www.youtube.com/shorts/tny--EWynOQ Nike paid tribute to Spanish tennis legend Rafael Nadal with a 10-meter-tall animated display…

3 days ago

VIDEO: Rafael Nadal Gets Emotional Tribute as He Retires From Tennis

https://youtu.be/dtJoJz9hC48 Tennis legend Rafael Nadal bid a heartfelt goodbye to his devoted Spanish fans as he brought…

3 days ago

VIDEO EXCLUSIVE: U.S. Olympic Fencer Eli Dershwitz Explains The Art Of Fencing

https://www.youtube.com/shorts/DQ9Rxhnuer4 U.S. Olympic fencer Eli Dershwitz shed light on the critical skills necessary in fencing…

4 days ago