Vinny Del Negro
Encyclopedia
Vincent Joseph "Vinny" Del Negro (born August 9, 1966) is a retired American basketball
player. He is the current head coach
of the NBA
's Los Angeles Clippers
, and was the head coach of the Chicago Bulls
from 2008 until 2010.
. His father, Vince, was a two-time junior college All-American, and taught his son to play basketball at a young age. Vinny made the varsity basketball team during his freshman year at Cathedral High School
. He caught the attention of the basketball coach at Suffield Academy
, who persuaded him to attend Suffield Academy so that he could play basketball for them. Vinny led Suffield Academy to two New England
championships. He scored 1,116 points, becoming Suffield Academy's all-time leading scorer.
at North Carolina State University
. As a senior, he was selected to the All-Atlantic Coast Conference
team after averaging 15.9 points, 3.6 assists and 4.9 rebounds per game. In his senior season, Del Negro led the Wolfpack to the 1987 ACC Tournament championship and was named tournament MVP.
Del Negro was selected by the Sacramento Kings
with the 29th pick in the 1988 NBA Draft
. He would play two seasons there before leaving for Italy and Benetton Treviso
for another two years (he won the Italian championship
in 1992 with over 25 points per game).
Upon his return to the NBA, Del Negro played for the San Antonio Spurs
for the next six years. In early 1999 he played four games in Italy for Teamsystem Bologna
, before signing with the Milwaukee Bucks
, where he played in the 1998–99 and 1999–2000 seasons. Del Negro was traded to the Golden State Warriors
in a three-team deal that also involved the Cleveland Cavaliers
in June 2000. In January 2001 he was traded to the Phoenix Suns
, and was traded to the Los Angeles Clippers
in a three-team deal with the Orlando Magic
in November, although he would never play for them, and subsequently retired.
Del Negro's career statistics included averaging 9.1 points, 2.3 rebounds, and 3.2 assists per game, while shooting 47.5% from the field and 84.0% from the free-throw line.
before being promoted to director of player personnel for the Suns in 2006. In 2007, the Suns promoted him to the position of assistant general manager
.
On June 9, 2008, multiple media reports indicated Del Negro had agreed to become the new head coach of the Chicago Bulls
. He became the favorite for the job after former Bulls' coach Doug Collins
withdrew his name from consideration.
Two days later, Del Negro was officially introduced as the new head coach of the Bulls, replacing Jim Boylan
and becoming the 17th head coach in Bulls' history.
Del Negro finished his first season as head coach of the Chicago Bulls with a 41-41 record, sufficient for the seventh seed in the Eastern Conference. The Bulls played a seven-game series against the Boston Celtics
, featuring four overtime games with a total of a record seven overtime periods, before losing.
Del Negro finished his second season as head coach of the Chicago Bulls with a 41-41 record, sufficient for the eighth seed in the Eastern Conference. The Bulls lost the best of seven series in five games against the Cleveland Cavaliers
.
The Chicago Bulls announced Del Negro's dismissal on May 4, 2010. On July 6, 2010, multiple league sources confirmed that Del Negro would become the next head coach of the Los Angeles Clippers
. At the end of Del Negro's first season with the Clippers, the Clippers finished with a record of 32-50, missing the playoffs.
Despite missing the playoffs, the Clippers did have the NBA Rookie of the Year, Blake Griffin
.
under legendary coach Adolph Rupp
.
| align="left" |CHI
| align="left" |
|82||41||41||.500|| align="center" |2nd in Central||7||3||4||.429
| align="center" |Lost in First Round
|-
| align="left" |CHI
| align="left" |
|82||41||41||.500|| align="center" |3rd in Central||5||1||4||.200
| align="center" |Lost in First Round
|-
| align="left" |LAC
| align="left" |
|82||32||50||.390|| align="center" |4th in Pacific||—||—||—||—
| align="center" |Missed Playoffs
|-class="sortbottom"
| align="left" |Career
|||246||114||132||.463|| ||12||4||8||.333
Basketball
Basketball is a team sport in which two teams of five players try to score points by throwing or "shooting" a ball through the top of a basketball hoop while following a set of rules...
player. He is the current head coach
Head coach
A head coach, senior coach or manager is a professional at training and developing athletes. They typically hold a more public profile and are paid more than other coaches...
of the NBA
National Basketball Association
The National Basketball Association is the pre-eminent men's professional basketball league in North America. It consists of thirty franchised member clubs, of which twenty-nine are located in the United States and one in Canada...
's Los Angeles Clippers
Los Angeles Clippers
The Los Angeles Clippers are a professional basketball team based in Los Angeles, California, United States. They play in the Pacific Division of the Western Conference of the National Basketball Association...
, and was the head coach of the Chicago Bulls
Chicago Bulls
The Chicago Bulls are an American professional basketball team based in Chicago, Illinois, playing in the Central Division of the Eastern Conference in the National Basketball Association . The team was founded in 1966. They play their home games at the United Center...
from 2008 until 2010.
Early life
Del Negro was born on August 9, 1966, in Springfield, MassachusettsSpringfield, Massachusetts
Springfield is the most populous city in Western New England, and the seat of Hampden County, Massachusetts, United States. Springfield sits on the eastern bank of the Connecticut River near its confluence with three rivers; the western Westfield River, the eastern Chicopee River, and the eastern...
. His father, Vince, was a two-time junior college All-American, and taught his son to play basketball at a young age. Vinny made the varsity basketball team during his freshman year at Cathedral High School
Cathedral High School (Springfield, Massachusetts)
Cathedral High School is a Catholic co-educational college-preparatory High School in Springfield, Massachusetts. Opened in 1883 by the Sisters of Saint Joseph at the diocese's Saint Michael's Cathedral, its current facility has been at 260 Surrey Road since 1959 in one of the city's residential...
. He caught the attention of the basketball coach at Suffield Academy
Suffield Academy
Suffield Academy is a private coeducational preparatory school located in Suffield, Connecticut, USA. It was founded in 1833. The Headmaster is Charles Cahn III.-Overview:...
, who persuaded him to attend Suffield Academy so that he could play basketball for them. Vinny led Suffield Academy to two New England
New England
New England is a region in the northeastern corner of the United States consisting of the six states of Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, and Connecticut...
championships. He scored 1,116 points, becoming Suffield Academy's all-time leading scorer.
Playing career
Del Negro played for Jim ValvanoJim Valvano
James Thomas Anthony "Jim" Valvano , nicknamed Jimmy V, was an American college basketball coach.While the head basketball coach at North Carolina State University, he won the 1983 NCAA Basketball Tournament against high odds...
at North Carolina State University
North Carolina State University
North Carolina State University at Raleigh is a public, coeducational, extensive research university located in Raleigh, North Carolina, United States. Commonly known as NC State, the university is part of the University of North Carolina system and is a land, sea, and space grant institution...
. As a senior, he was selected to the All-Atlantic Coast Conference
Atlantic Coast Conference
The Atlantic Coast Conference is a collegiate athletic league in the United States. Founded in 1953 in Greensboro, North Carolina, the ACC sanctions competition in twenty-five sports in Division I of the National Collegiate Athletic Association for its twelve member universities...
team after averaging 15.9 points, 3.6 assists and 4.9 rebounds per game. In his senior season, Del Negro led the Wolfpack to the 1987 ACC Tournament championship and was named tournament MVP.
Del Negro was selected by the Sacramento Kings
Sacramento Kings
The Sacramento Kings are a professional basketball team based in Sacramento, California, United States. They are currently members of the Western Conference of the National Basketball Association...
with the 29th pick in the 1988 NBA Draft
1988 NBA Draft
The 1988 NBA Draft took place on June 28, 1988 in New York City, New York. The length was reduced from seven rounds in the previous year to three rounds.-Round one:-Round two:-Round three:-Notable undrafted players:...
. He would play two seasons there before leaving for Italy and Benetton Treviso
Pallacanestro Treviso
Pallacanestro Treviso, more often known by its sponsorship name of Benetton Basket, or Benetton Treviso, is an Italian Serie A League professional basketball club from Treviso, the headquarters city of its longtime owner Benetton Group...
for another two years (he won the Italian championship
Serie A (basketball)
Lega Basket Serie A is the highest level club competition in Italian professional basketball where play determines the national champion. The season consists of a home-and-away schedule of 30 games, followed by an eight-team playoff round. Quarterfinals and semifinals series are best-of-five, and...
in 1992 with over 25 points per game).
Upon his return to the NBA, Del Negro played for the San Antonio Spurs
San Antonio Spurs
The San Antonio Spurs are an American professional basketball team based in San Antonio, Texas. They are part of the Southwest Division of the Western Conference in the National Basketball Association ....
for the next six years. In early 1999 he played four games in Italy for Teamsystem Bologna
Fortitudo Bologna
Fortitudo Pallacanestro Bologna is an Legadue Basket professional basketball club that is based in Bologna. It's currently sponsored by Conad.-History:...
, before signing with the Milwaukee Bucks
Milwaukee Bucks
The Milwaukee Bucks are a professional basketball team based in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, United States. They are part of the Central Division of the Eastern Conference in the National Basketball Association . The team was founded in 1968 as an expansion team, and currently plays at the Bradley Center....
, where he played in the 1998–99 and 1999–2000 seasons. Del Negro was traded to the Golden State Warriors
Golden State Warriors
The Golden State Warriors are an American professional basketball team based in Oakland, California. They are part of the Pacific Division of the Western Conference in the National Basketball Association...
in a three-team deal that also involved the Cleveland Cavaliers
Cleveland Cavaliers
The Cleveland Cavaliers are a professional basketball team based in Cleveland, Ohio. They began playing in the National Basketball Association in 1970 as an expansion team...
in June 2000. In January 2001 he was traded to the Phoenix Suns
Phoenix Suns
The Phoenix Suns are a professional basketball team based in Phoenix, Arizona. They are members of the Pacific Division of the Western Conference in the National Basketball Association and the only team in their division not to be based in California. Their home arena since 1992 has been the US...
, and was traded to the Los Angeles Clippers
Los Angeles Clippers
The Los Angeles Clippers are a professional basketball team based in Los Angeles, California, United States. They play in the Pacific Division of the Western Conference of the National Basketball Association...
in a three-team deal with the Orlando Magic
Orlando Magic
The Orlando Magic is a professional basketball team based in Orlando, Florida. They play in the Southeast Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Basketball Association and are currently coached by Stan Van Gundy...
in November, although he would never play for them, and subsequently retired.
Del Negro's career statistics included averaging 9.1 points, 2.3 rebounds, and 3.2 assists per game, while shooting 47.5% from the field and 84.0% from the free-throw line.
Coaching career
Del Negro worked as a radio commentator for the Phoenix SunsPhoenix Suns
The Phoenix Suns are a professional basketball team based in Phoenix, Arizona. They are members of the Pacific Division of the Western Conference in the National Basketball Association and the only team in their division not to be based in California. Their home arena since 1992 has been the US...
before being promoted to director of player personnel for the Suns in 2006. In 2007, the Suns promoted him to the position of assistant general manager
General manager
General manager is a descriptive term for certain executives in a business operation. It is also a formal title held by some business executives, most commonly in the hospitality industry.-Generic usage:...
.
On June 9, 2008, multiple media reports indicated Del Negro had agreed to become the new head coach of the Chicago Bulls
Chicago Bulls
The Chicago Bulls are an American professional basketball team based in Chicago, Illinois, playing in the Central Division of the Eastern Conference in the National Basketball Association . The team was founded in 1966. They play their home games at the United Center...
. He became the favorite for the job after former Bulls' coach Doug Collins
Doug Collins
Paul Douglas "Doug" Collins is a retired American basketball player, a former four-time NBA All-Star and currently the head coach of the NBA's Philadelphia 76ers.-High school and college:...
withdrew his name from consideration.
Two days later, Del Negro was officially introduced as the new head coach of the Bulls, replacing Jim Boylan
Jim Boylan
Jim Boylan is an American basketball coach. He served as the interim head coach for the Chicago Bulls until he was dismissed on April 17, 2008. The Milwaukee Bucks hired him as an assistant coach on May 14, 2008.- Playing career :...
and becoming the 17th head coach in Bulls' history.
Del Negro finished his first season as head coach of the Chicago Bulls with a 41-41 record, sufficient for the seventh seed in the Eastern Conference. The Bulls played a seven-game series against the Boston Celtics
Boston Celtics
The Boston Celtics are a National Basketball Association team based in Boston, Massachusetts. They play in the Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference. Founded in 1946, the team is currently owned by Boston Basketball Partners LLC. The Celtics play their home games at the TD Garden, which...
, featuring four overtime games with a total of a record seven overtime periods, before losing.
Del Negro finished his second season as head coach of the Chicago Bulls with a 41-41 record, sufficient for the eighth seed in the Eastern Conference. The Bulls lost the best of seven series in five games against the Cleveland Cavaliers
Cleveland Cavaliers
The Cleveland Cavaliers are a professional basketball team based in Cleveland, Ohio. They began playing in the National Basketball Association in 1970 as an expansion team...
.
The Chicago Bulls announced Del Negro's dismissal on May 4, 2010. On July 6, 2010, multiple league sources confirmed that Del Negro would become the next head coach of the Los Angeles Clippers
Los Angeles Clippers
The Los Angeles Clippers are a professional basketball team based in Los Angeles, California, United States. They play in the Pacific Division of the Western Conference of the National Basketball Association...
. At the end of Del Negro's first season with the Clippers, the Clippers finished with a record of 32-50, missing the playoffs.
Despite missing the playoffs, the Clippers did have the NBA Rookie of the Year, Blake Griffin
Blake Griffin
Blake Austin Griffin is an American professional basketball player for the Los Angeles Clippers of the National Basketball Association . Griffin had a renowned high school career at Oklahoma Christian School, winning state titles each of his four years under his father, Tommy Griffin, who was the...
.
Personal
Del Negro is of Italian ancestry. His father, Vince, played basketball at the University of KentuckyUniversity of Kentucky
The University of Kentucky, also known as UK, is a public co-educational university and is one of the state's two land-grant universities, located in Lexington, Kentucky...
under legendary coach Adolph Rupp
Adolph Rupp
Adolph Frederick Rupp was one of the most successful coaches in the history of American college basketball. Rupp is fourth in total victories by a men's NCAA Division I college coach, winning 876 games in 41 years of coaching...
.
Coaching record
|-| align="left" |CHI
Chicago Bulls
The Chicago Bulls are an American professional basketball team based in Chicago, Illinois, playing in the Central Division of the Eastern Conference in the National Basketball Association . The team was founded in 1966. They play their home games at the United Center...
| align="left" |
|82||41||41||.500|| align="center" |2nd in Central||7||3||4||.429
| align="center" |Lost in First Round
2009 NBA Playoffs
The 2009 NBA Playoffs was the postseason for the National Basketball Association's 2008–09 season. The playoffs started on April 18, 2009 with ABC, ESPN, TNT, and NBA TV broadcasting the games in the United States...
|-
| align="left" |CHI
| align="left" |
|82||41||41||.500|| align="center" |3rd in Central||5||1||4||.200
| align="center" |Lost in First Round
2010 NBA Playoffs
The 2010 NBA Playoffs was the postseason for the National Basketball Association's 2009–10 season. The playoffs started on April 17, 2010 with ABC, ESPN, ESPN2, TNT, and NBA TV broadcasting the games in the United States...
|-
| align="left" |LAC
Los Angeles Clippers
The Los Angeles Clippers are a professional basketball team based in Los Angeles, California, United States. They play in the Pacific Division of the Western Conference of the National Basketball Association...
| align="left" |
|82||32||50||.390|| align="center" |4th in Pacific||—||—||—||—
| align="center" |Missed Playoffs
|-class="sortbottom"
| align="left" |Career
|||246||114||132||.463|| ||12||4||8||.333