Trail Blazers part ways with Terry Stotts as head coach after 9 seasons

The Portland Trail Blazers have parted ways with head coach Terry Stotts.

ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski first reported the move, since confirmed by the team shortly thereafter.

After a fourth first-round playoff exit in five seasons, the Portland Trail Blazers and coach Terry Stotts mutually agreed to part ways on Friday, sources told ESPN.

— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) June 5, 2021

Thank you, Coach Stotts ❤️ https://t.co/dLHJdAEajZ pic.twitter.com/fGzPnuyvyL

— Portland Trail Blazers (@trailblazers) June 5, 2021

Stotts helped the Trail Blazers win ten of their final twelve games of the regular season to earn the six seed in the Western Conference playoffs, avoiding the play-in tournament.  But despite the late-season surge, the Blazers were eliminated in the first round in six games by the Denver Nuggets, though Denver was without their starting backcourt with injuries to Jamal Murray and Will Barton.

Stotts was hired as Blazers head coach in August of 2012, replacing Nate McMillan.  In nine seasons, Stotts accumulated a record of 402-318.  He led the Blazers to the playoffs in each of the last eight seasons, advancing past the first round on three occasions including a 2019 run to the Western Conference Finals before being swept by the Golden State Warriors.

Rumors on Friday suggested Jason Kidd as a possible replacement for Stotts, per Chris Haynes and Marc Stein.  However, Woj includes in his report the likes of Chauncey Billups, Mike D’Antoni, Juwan Howard and Jeff van Gundy.

Among candidates expected to be considered for the Blazers opening, sources tell ESPN: Clippers assistant Chauncey Billups, Jeff Van Gundy, Nets assistant Mike D’Antoni, and Michigan’s Juwan Howard.

— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) June 5, 2021

From the team official press release:

TRAIL BLAZERS AND TERRY STOTTS MUTUALLY AGREE TO PART WAYS
Stotts departs as Portland’s second all-time winningest coach

PORTLAND, Ore. (June 4, 2021) – The Portland Trail Blazers and Terry Stotts have mutually agreed to part ways, it was announced today by Neil Olshey, president of basketball operations.

“I have the utmost respect for Terry and what he has accomplished these past nine seasons,” said Olshey. “This was a difficult decision on both a personal and professional level but it’s in the best interest of the franchise to move in another direction. Terry will always hold a special place in the Trail Blazer family and the Portland community. We relied on the integrity, professionalism and consistency he brought to the job every day and we wish he and Jan nothing but the best.”

Stotts completed his ninth season as head coach of the Trail Blazers in 2020-21 after guiding Portland to a 42-30 record and an eighth consecutive postseason appearance.

A 27-year coaching veteran, Portland introduced Stotts as the franchise’s 14th head coach on August 7, 2012. He is the second-winningest coach in franchise history after Jack Ramsay. Overall, Stotts holds a career coaching record of 517- 486 (.515) and a 402-318 (.558) mark with Portland.

“We are all grateful for Terry’s contributions and his nine years with the Trail Blazers,” said Jody Allen, chair of the Trail Blazers. “I appreciate his steadfast dedication to the players, the game, and the broader Portland community. We wish him the best in his future endeavors.”

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