Report: Westphal next in line as Kings head coach

Sports Network | June 10, 2009

Sacramento, CA (Sports Network) - The Sacramento Kings are reportedly set to hire Paul Westphal as the club's next head coach.

The Sacramento Bee late Tuesday night cited several sources close to the situation as stating Westphal will sign a two-year contract to fill Sacramento's vacant head coaching position.

The former Phoenix Suns (1992-96) and Seattle SuperSonics (1998-2001) head coach will take over for the Kings after the worst season in franchise history, a 17-65 campaign that saw the firing of Reggie Theus in December and interim head coach Kenny Natt at season's end.

Westphal compiled a 267-159 record in his previous two stints as head coach in the NBA. The 58-year-old guided the Suns to the 1993 Western Conference title before losing to the Chicago Bulls in the Finals in his first year on the job.

The University of California product also played 12 years in the NBA (1972-84).