Jacque Vaughn didn't seem to be the Nets' leading candidate for the head coaching position, but after reported pressure towards team ownership to steer clear of Ime Udoka amid his season-long suspension, coupled with Brooklyn's improved play of late, the Nets elected to remove the interim tag from Vaughn.
Vaughn knew where he stood, and had some fun with it when speaking to reporters for the first time since being named the official replacement of Steve Nash.
"I guess I was the was the 'write in' candidate in the minds of elections right now, but I'm OK with that," Vaughn laughed. I said to my wife, 'I might've not been her first choice,' and we've been together 20 years, so it could all work out. So off we go."
Vaughn has been a part of the Nets coaching staff for the past seven years, and is now getting a chance to be the everyday head coach of a team with championship aspirations. His tenure got off to a strong start on Wednesday night with a blowout win over the rival Knicks, and Kevin Durant handed Vaughn the game ball in the locker room after the victory.
"I was honest with you guys. I was in the mindset of coaching that Chicago game, and that's what I was asked to do, and I did it," Vaughn said. "The next day was an off day, then I was asked to do practice, and I did it.
"I told my son today, 'Just do what you're supposed to do everyday.' There's nothing wrong with that, and hopefully you get rewarded for it. If you don't, you can still look yourself in the mirror every night, and if you do get rewarded, off you go."
Follow Ryan Chichester on Twitter: @ryanchichester1
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