NBA’s Nets say Frank will coach next season

Published 9:32 am Wednesday, April 29, 2009

EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. — Lawrence Frank is returning to coach the New Jersey Nets next season despite missing the playoffs for a second straight season.

Nets president Rod Thorn announced the decision Wednesday, two weeks after the Nets finished a second consecutive 34-win season.

Thorn says the Nets play hard for Frank.

The 38-year-old Frank has posted a 225-225 record in five-plus seasons as coach. He has a year left on a contract that was to pay him $4.5 million next season. His 225 wins are a franchise record.

With the firing of Eddie Jordan by Washington earlier this season, Frank is the longest tenured coach in the Eastern Conference.