The Sacramento Kings organization continues to roll out changes, with another significant development occurring within the coaching ranks. Now that the Kings made Doug Christie the team’s permanent head coach going forward, the front office made the wise decision in hiring a brand new associate coach—a coach with several years of NBA experience, and who lived through the valleys of success and disappointment throughout. Former Atlanta Hawks head coach Mike Woodson has joined Christie’s staff as an associate coach ahead of the 2025-26 season, according to ESPN’s Shams Charania, which will be Christie’s first full season at the helm.
Kings Support Doug Christie with Experienced Coaching Hire
Sacramento Kings hire former NBA head coach Mike Woodson to help Doug Christie ahead of first full season on the bench
The move to hire Woodson to support Christie mirrors what the Los Angeles Lakers did for JJ Redick last summer. Redick, who had no previous coaching experience on the NBA level, would need solid, experienced voices beside him, and Scott Brooks and Nate McMillan provided that. Redick had mentioned numerous times throughout the season that the input and support from Brooks and McMillan were invaluable. Christie is about to receive the same type of support as the Kings hope.
Of course, there are differences between Redick’s and Christie’s paths to securing a head coaching gig in the NBA. Christie had served as an assistant coach for several years prior and on the Kings bench, while Redick had no experience anywhere. Hiring experienced former coaches served the Lakers well, so perhaps the Kings felt it necessary to do everything they could to help Christie as an officially brand-new head coach.
22 years of coaching experience could go a long way
Woodson is an NBA veteran as a player and a coach, and even played for the Kings during the 80s. Woodson’s coaching experience, though, comes at great value to the Kings. In 22 years, he served as both head and assistant coach in various cities. He coached for the Milwaukee Bucks, Cleveland Cavaliers, Philadelphia 76ers, Detroit Pistons, Atlanta Hawks, New York Knicks, and Los Angeles Clippers. His most notable time as head coach came with the Hawks from 2005 to 2010. He coached Atlanta to three playoff appearances and reached the Eastern Conference Finals during that time. In those days, the Hawks had some formidable squads comprised of Josh Smith, Mike Bibby, Al Horford, and Joe Johnson, among others.
While Woodson’s postseason record isn’t the best (18-28), and his regular season record is also below .500 (315-365), there’s no denying that he isn’t chalk full of experience and knowledge and carries an intimate feel for the NBA as a coach. It’s exactly what Christie needs from his staff, and he’s off to a good start.
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